RariJack - The Compilation of Prompts

by Titanium Dragon

Rating: teen
Tags: Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rarity, Romance
Length: 29753

A collection of short stories centered on Applejack and Rarity. Each story is based on a one-word prompt, and after the story is written, the writer leaves another one-word prompt for the next writer to use.

A collection of short stories centered on Applejack and Rarity, written by a number of writers . Each story is based on a one-word prompt, and after the story is written, the writer leaves another one-word prompt for the next writer to use.

You can find the thread for this forum game on the RariJack forums. It is a non-exclusive project; anyone and everyone is free to join in.

The author of each chapter is listed next to their contribution.

Published 2013-08-06 14:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-09-04 12:35:43 UTC

2. Horn - by Carnelian_ponyarchitect

2. Horn - Carnelian_ponyarchitect

Carnelian_ponyarchitect

Horn

Sweetie Belle stood still as Zecora was examining her horn that was suffering from the effects the Poison Joke that she fell into after the last attempt for the Cutie Mark Crusaders to earn their cutie marks. As Zecora was going back and forth between her giant pot and Sweetie Belle's horn, Sweetie Belle was engaged in a conversation with the zebra.

"So where is Rarity, for I have not seen much of the Element of Generosity," asked the witch doctor.

"She should be on her way back from Appleloosa with my sister-in-law Applejack. I think they said that there was a rodeo there or something."

"I heard about that rodeo, I believe that Applejack was planning on making a cameo?" Before Sweetie Belle could reply, Rarity came through the door followed by her wife.

"Sweetie Belle... Did you land in Poison Joke during your 'Cutie Mark Crusader Wilderness Survivors'?" asked Rarity as she face-hoofed. Sweetie Belle blushed in embarrassment of the situation as her horn drooped down in it's blue polka dot state.

"Yes... I'm sorry, I wasn't paying enough attention," the young unicorn sighed. Rarity hugged her and was joined by Applejack.

"It's okay little sister, after all I had suffered once from the affects of the accursed plant as well as Applejack,"

"Eeyup, and ah rather not speak of that awful time if ya'll don't mind." stated Applejack grimly as she remember the grueling events that had once occurred.

Sweetie Belle giggled at the thought of the two being affected by Poison Joke. "Look on the bright side Applejack, at least you never mistaken a giant boulder for-" she was cut off by the most menacing glare from her older sister, and not a moment sooner had she realized her grave mistake about mentioning the events of the subject-never-to-be-discussed-ever-again...

"I thought that we wouldn't mention that..." she grumbled as both Zecora and Applejack were desperately to not to laugh as they both feared their lives, not to mention one of them still wished to both remain living in the same house and participate in certain activities with her spouse not suited for still young ears.

Soon after, Zecora finished the cure for Sweetie Belle's horn and applied it. After a good few minutes the horn reverted back to its original state.

"Thank you Zecora, I hope there's a way I can repay you for this!" cheered Sweetie Belle as she started to walk out of the front door with both Rarity and Applejack in tow.

"Do not worry child, it's worth all the while!" called back Zecora as she was replacing all of the ingredients and tools that she used during the evening. It came to Zecora's mind that maybe she should settle down with that special somepony like those two had done.

Next Prompt: Kids

3. Kids - by Nints

3. Kids - Nints

Nints

Kids.

“Have you ever thought of having kids?”

Rarity watched as Applejack paused, a bite of sandwich halfway to her mouth. The orange earth pony straightened up, looked to the ceiling, and mouthed the words as if not sure she had heard them correctly.

When it was clear her love would not respond any time soon, Rarity casually went on, “I’ve always wanted at least one. It would be nice, to have someone to help out at the boutique…”

This seemed to snap the earth pony out of her stupor. “Help out at the boutique? Heck no. If’n we ever have a youngun they’ll work at the farm.”

Rarity waved a hoof. “I’m sure we can split their time between working at both, darling.” She paused, and glanced at her wife slyly out of the corner of her eye. “So… how many would you like?”

“Heck, I dunno, Rares.” Applejack rubbed her neck, a bit uncomfortable.

“I think we should have three.”

“Golly. That’s a lotta birthin’. Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” Rarity said with conviction. Then, more quietly she added, “I think it would be quite fitting, since we both have threes in our cutie marks.”

Applejack gazed fondly at her. “Well if ya want three kids, then I guess that’s how many we’ll have.”

The grin on Rarity’s face was worth the awkwardness of the conversation. Applejack straightened up proudly, and went back to eating.

“Oh, one more thing, darling.” Rarity chimed in almost nonchalantly. Applejack looked at her, her chewing slowing down a bit.

“If we have a colt, his name will be Jasper.”

The look in her wife’s eyes told AJ that there would be absolutely no arguing the matter.

“Whatever ya want, sugar.”

Next prompt: Monster

4. Monster - by Jake R

4. Monster - Jake R

Jake R

Monster.

The bedroom door burst open (thank Celestia we weren't doing anything).

Sweetie Belle shrieked my name to the top of her lungs. I swear, the pipes on that filly. I, of course, was in a complete state of shock and confusion, as I was woken from my third Fancy Pants dream (we're parasailing through the streets of Manehattan, and he offers me to become his business partner). I start stammering and shaking about, tossing my sleeping mask with reckless abandon.

Applejack, meanwhile, is simply stirred awake, as she yawns peacefully, merely whispering, "What's goin' on?"

Sweetie Belle hopped onto the foot of my bed. "Rarity, it was a monster this time! I'm not making stuff up, it was really a monster!" She whimpered, clearly in distress. "C-can I sleep with you tonight?"

I rolled my eyes. Honestly, a filly her age shouldn't have to come running to her sist—

"C'mere, Sweetie Belle." Applejack tapped the space on the bed between Moi and herself. Sweetie crawled in between herself and settled in. Applejack draped a foreleg over her and brought me into this, well, for lack of a better word, cocoon.

"Feelin' better?" She asked with that beautiful smile of hers. Sweetie Belle sniffled and nodded. Some time passed before she was able to drift off into sleep.

I looked to AJ who was still awake. "You took care of that with no difficulty. How?"

AJ shrugged. She whispered, "Ya know what it's like to have a sister. It just comes naturally, I reckon."

I shook my head. "That took talent; talent I don't have." I leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Talent a certain cowpony needs to teach me."

Applejack grinned (that gorgeously kissable grin). "How do ya reckon I teach ya?"

"Spending more nights at the Boutique, of course."

"I reckon I can meetcha on that end." Applejack leaned over and tenderly kissed me.

And they say the two of us are bad at sleepovers.

Next prompt: Bust-It

6. Sugarcube - by Jokie155

6. Sugarcube - Jokie155

Jokie155

Sugarcube.

Rarity’s kitchen. At the table, Rarity, and one pony by the name of Applejack. The former holds a white mug in one hoof, filled two thirds of the way with a mixture known as ‘coffee’. The latter stares at a similar mug, not filled with coffee.

“I dunno. I’ve always avoided caffeine on account of gettin’ dizzy when apple bucking.” Rarity looks at Applejack. She is not impressed.

“I think you’ll find that this tea is quite relaxing.”

“Well, if you say so.” Blue magic takes a nearby teapot. The empty mug is filled with tea. Applejack peers down at the now filled mug. Rarity continues to look unimpressed.

“The purpose of ‘hot drinks’ are to drink them while they are hot.”

“Are you sure? Isn’t that gonna scald my insides if I just down it?”

“Applejack. You do not ‘down’ tea, you sip it gracefully.” Applejack continues to stare at the mug. She is confused.

“Fine, can I at least add sugar?” Rarity bats her hoof.

Applejack picks up a sugarcube. She drops it in the mug of tea. “One sugarcube.” She chuckles to herself. “Heh, sugarcube.”

She picks up another. “Two sugarcube.” And another. “Three sugarcube...”

“Applejack! Are you two or something? Must you count out every single sugarcube darling?” Applejack chuckles again.

“Sugarcube and darlin’. Pretty cute couple, ain’t we.” Rarity places her mug on the table in haste. She is embarrassed.

“Applejack, since when have we been a ‘couple’?”

“Since when I said so. And do you mind using those fancy air-quotes around every single word you don’t like of mine?”

Rarity resumes drinking her coffee. She mutters under her breath.

“I don’t recall agreeing to anything involving a relationship. And doesn’t having a marefriend require that both parties consent?”

Applejack reaches her hoof across. It takes hold of Rarity’s. “There’s nothing about being a marefriend that requires a lifetime commitment.”

Rarity removes her hoof from the hold. “Applejack. I outright refuse to enter into any sort of romantic relationship with you on a whim. For that matter, I may just refuse to enter a relationship with you at all!”

Applejack takes a sugarcube. She places it on Rarity’s nose. “We’ll see how long you can dodge the love train. Fact of the matter is, I got you blushing from that lil’ proposal already.”

Rarity examines her face. It is a bright pink. “For goodness sake, it’s just a little flushing from the coffee! Don’t try and pull anything from that.”

There is a shuffle. Applejack slides her mug to the side. She leans in, and holds Rarity’s face close.

“Sugarcube, don’t lie to me. I know there’s some smug part of you that just wants me.” Applejack extends her tongue. It catches the sugarcube, returning it to her mouth. “Or you can just sit there and be a wet towel while I do mah best at flirting. Your choice.”

Next prompt: Rope

7. Rope - by Drizzle Quill

7. Rope - Drizzle Quill

Drizzle Quill.

Rope.

“Applejack, darling, I don’t understand why you need me to do this…”

“Just go with it, Rare. It’ll be over in a second, Ah promise you that…”

The elegant white unicorn fidgeted in place, every few seconds lifting up one of her hooves to avoid the mud she happened to be standing in. Blue eyes nervously watched as Applejack, who was roughly thirty feet away, gripped one end of a taut brown rope in her mouth and began to swing it around in the air; slowly it became a quickly whirling lasso.

Rarity realized what was going to happen a second too late – she shrieked as the rope landed around her neck, flicking a few violet curls out of place and tangling them in with the brown material. Applejack stopped, saw that she had hit her target, and let out a wild whoop of joy. “Perfect!”

“Perfect,” Rarity replied in a downcast grumble, shaking the rope off of her head and activating her magic to put her mane back into place.

But it was hard to stay angry for too long at Applejack, whose green eyes shone with radiance like twin emerald suns. “Did ya see that, Rare? Ya think that’ll be good enough for the rodeo next week?”

Despite her anger at being used for rodeo practice, Rarity smiled and nodded. “I think it shall be positively wonderful. Your aim is spot on.”

“Phew! Ah was worried there for a second, ya know,” the earth pony replied, wiping some moisture off of her brow in one quick sweep. “Thank goodness!”

A light blue aura enveloped the rope, laying it across Applejack’s back, causing her to tip her head in Rarity’s direction. The unicorn bit her lip, a question suddenly bubbling to the top of her head. “Um…Applejack, darling?”

AJ turned, an inquisitive look on her face.

“Why did you want me to come here for your rodeo practice? Why didn’t you just use some cow, or maybe somepony that doesn’t mind mud?” As if to prove a point, Rarity lifted her front hoof up high and shuddered as she watched said mud drip off slowly.

Applejack laughed; it was a nervous kind of laugh that told you that something deep was going on, and it intrigued Rarity. “Well…” She looked away, heat rising to her cheeks.

“Yes?” Rarity asked, tipping her head ever so slightly to the side.

“Well, Ah wanted to spend more time by you, Rare.”

“By me?” Now the heat was flooding to the unicorn’s cheeks, and as she had white fur, there was no way to hide it. “Why, Applejack, whatever do you mea—?”

Before she could finish, a quick twist of the rope and it was snared around Rarity’s neck, pulling her closer, closer, until her muzzle was less than an inch away from Applejack’s. She knew what was going to happen next, and yet she did nothing to stop it.

No, when Applejack kissed her, the only thing Rarity did was kiss her back.

Next prompt: Candy

8. Candy - by Titanium Dragon

8. Candy - Titanium Dragon

Titanium Dragon

Candy

"Well, that's done with," Rarity said as she swung the door shut after the departure of the baby dragon.

"I thought he'd never leave," Applejack said with a smile as she stepped over next to her marefriend, the orange pony rubbing her snout against Rarity's as the unicorn smiled and leaned back into the earth pony's warm side. "But you really should stop leadin' him on like that Rarity."

"I know. I just am worried it will break his little heart when he finds out we're together."

Applejack frowned slightly, shifting away. "We've been together for a month now. I'm sure he's going to find out eventually, and it'd be best if it was from us, not from somepony else."

"I know," Rarity sighed as she shook her head, feeling Applejack's warmth retreating as the orange pony stepped away from her. "I must admit I am rather flattered by the attention though. I never would have thought I looked as good to dragons as I do to ponies."

Applejack smirked. "Oh, I've got a pretty good idea of it. I bet its the same thing that made Lyra go after Bon Bon."

"Same thing? Whatever do you mean?"

"Oh, nothin," the earth pony replied as she leaned in close to the unicorn's ear. "Candybutt."

"I beg your pardon?"

Applejack laughed. "Well its like this. Bonbon has candy on her flank, and to a dragon, those diamonds you're sporting must look like the sweetest thing in all Equestria."

"Those diamonds represent my love of beauty and craftsmanship, not food!"

"I dunno Rarity, I reckon as far as Spike's concerned, the gems you find are the tastiest there are. I bet he's just itchin to get a taste of the sweetest gems of all. Might be I want a taste too."

Rarity swished her tail, her cheeks flushing. "Oh you're incorrigible!"

Applejack nuzzled back up against her marefriend's side, her chin rubbing against the back of Rarity's neck. "I dunno. I don't think its such a bad thing that I want to try gettin to know my marefriend a bit better. Might be that I'd like it if she wanted to do the same to me." She shifted foward, lifting her head to give the unicorn a kiss on the ear. "Besides, I know you've always wondered what mine tastes like."

The unicorn squeaked at that, her face red, but despite the heat in her voice, her body language betrayed her as she leaned back into the strong earth pony, her tail swishing behind her, brushing up against Applejack's own flank. "A lady would never be so uncouth."

"Oh, I dunno. I'd think that a proper lady would want her ladyfriend to be happy. I promise my mouth won't go anywhere you don't want it to."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Rarity replied, ducking her head slightly as Applejack laughed.

"Well that's a mighty fine invitation if I've ever heard one." The earth pony stepped alongside Rarity, rubbing herself up against her marefriend's shoulder as she walked around in front of her, letting her back rub against Rarity's neck as she brushed on by the unicorn, turning around to nuzzle slowly along her side, first her shoulder, then letting her chin slide along her flank until she was nuzzling at Rarity's cutie mark, her tail flicking up against Rarity's snout as she gave each of the brilliant blue diamonds on her marefriend's side a gentle kiss, making the mare tremble against her.

Applejack could feel Rarity's own face moving, the white mare's chin slowly rubbing over her partner's croup, the farmer arching her back slightly as she felt the warm breath slowly moving down to her side, smiling slightly as she felt the white mare's lips press against her own cutie mark. Applejack smiled to herself as she continued to nose at Rarity's side, before squeaking as she felt Rarity's warm tongue sliding out over one of the apples adorning her flank, a laugh following a moment later.

"Well that's mighty forward of you," the cowpony said, taking the gesture as an invitation to start nibbling at Rarity's cutie mark, eliciting more shaking out of the mare beside her. Rarity's tight voice came back to her.

"Applejack," she said, "I must confess something."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

"Your cutie mark... it doesn't taste like apples."

Next prompt: Sisters

9. Sisters - by Merc the Jerk

9. Sisters - Merc the Jerk

Merc the Jerk

Sisters

“Aw, come on!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, throwing her arms to the side. “Why can't I get a turn?!”

“'Cause I jus' got the wagon from Scootaloo!” Applebloom loudly retorted, a breeze blowing across the field and rustling the bow in her hair. “I ain't even had a turn yet!”

“You'll have it all day! I'm only here until sundown!”

“An' a lotta good a wagon'll be when it's dark out!” She put her hands in her overall pockets and gave a roll of her eyes.

“Besides, you're bigger—it'll be easier to pull me!”

Sweetie Belle recoiled with a gasp, then stamped her foot in the grass, pointing a hard finger at the girl. “Are you suggesting I'm fat!?”

“I ain't even said that, sheesh!” Bloom said. Her expression turned devious as she rested a hand on the wagon's handle and glanced past the wooden fence, towards the house. “But if you're the one sayin' it, who am I ta argue?”

“Why you... you...” Sweetie's face contorted in thought. “Clamhead!”

Applebloom scowled, stamping a foot. “Porkface!”

“Dummy!”

“Tubby!”

“Malcontent!”

Applebloom paused. “A what?”

“A jerk!” Sweetie exclaimed.

“Girls!” a haughty, cultured woman's voice proclaimed. Rarity briskly marched from the backdoor of the house, Applejack a pace behind her. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle each shared a glance befitting a man heading towards execution.

“We could hear y'all all the way from the cotton-pickin' laundry room!” AJ said, glowering as she approached the fence. She glanced at both of the girls. “What in the name-a pete's gotten into the both of ya?”

They quickly gestured to one another and spoke at once.

“She won't let me—“

“I jus' got my—“

“Got called fat—“

“What the hay's malcontent mean—“

“That's enough!” Rarity barked, crossing her hands over her chest and tapping at her elbow with one of her well-manicured violet nails. “I have not a care in the slightest who started the bickering, simply stop. Now.”

They solemnly nodded. After a beat, Applejack rolled her eyes and tilted her worn stetson back. “How 'bout y'all grab a snack inside? Got some apple juice an' crackers with yer names on it.” She glanced at the wagon. “After that, maybe me an Rare'll tug ya 'round some.”

They broke into a wide grin, blowing past the two woman and sprinting to the house. Rarity gave a good-natured sigh.

“I have no idea how you can placate them so quickly, darling.”

AJ smirked, moving a bit closer and putting a hand on Rarity's shoulder. “Practice makes perfect, sug. Ya jus' keep drillin' it inta them that ya mean business, an' eventually it sticks with 'em.”

Rarity smiled, the sun all but radiating the beauty's violet hair and dazzling smile. “I suppose that stubborn nature of yours comes in handy on occasion,” she conceded, entwining her hand with Applejacks and giving a small, preditory half-smile. “However, it's not without its faults.”

Applejack paused, narrowing her brow. “Oh boy. This should be good.” She held back from going for the throat. “What kinda faults?”

“Why,” Rarity began, glancing towards the children running toward the steps of the house. “Think about where Applebloom got her stubborn streak. She just doesn't admit to being wrong, even when she's insulting—“

“Now hold on a dang minute!” AJ replied, taking a step back from the woman. “It's yer lil' 'me first' attitude that's rubbin' off on Sweetie Belle that's the problem! She ain't even given 'Bloom a turn at the wheel!”

“Oh, I suppose your sister calling mine 'fat' was the way to go there?” she questioned, her eyes holding heat.

“Yer the one with the sister that called mine 'malcontent!' The hay that even mean?!”

“A person who's dissatisfied or rebellious—a troublemaker.”

The farmer paused, the building tension all but vapor in the air as Applejack laughed. “Eyup. Sounds 'bout like me an' Bloom. We're like peas in a pod!”

Rarity's brow twitched. She wasn't sure if Applejack's nature made her want to kiss or slap the woman sometimes. Finally, she decided on grabbing the other by the waist.

“Come on, dear,” the tailor said. “I'm sure the girls are waiting for you to pull their wagon around.”

AJ complied, walking in-step with the other towards the house before frowning. “Wait. Are ya sayin' ya ain't gonna help me?”

“Well, there's all that dirt and I just got my nails done, dear...” Rarity trailed off, playing with the necklace she wore. “Besides. I know you'd enjoy it far more than me—I'm not built for such physical excursion, after alEdit: Forgot my prompt word, oh shi--

n—“

“Another day in paradise,” Applejack grumbled to herself.

Next prompt: Mirrors

10. Mirrors - by Titanium Dragon

10. Mirrors - Titanium Dragon

Titanium Dragon

Mirrors

"Howdy Rarity!" Applejack said with a bright smile on her face as she stepped into the shop.

"Coming!" chirped the mare in question, the seamstress emerging from one of the back rooms of the boutique with a smile on her face as she approached the farmer, giving her a nuzzle which the earth pony returned warmly, leaning into her lover.

"Twilight and I saw somethin' you might get a kick out of when we were in Canterlot yesterday."

"Oh?" the unicorn leaned back, her eyes bright. "What is it?"

"I left it outside, it was kind of tough to get in through yer door by myself. Its kind of fragile."

Rarity stepped out the front door of her shop and looked around for a moment before spying the canvas-covered pane sitting in the cart, a smile creeping across her face. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Sure is," the cowpony said as she stepped out after her marefriend. "Twi and I found it in the market, and figured it was just up your alley. Another magic mirror for your collection."

"Ooh, what does it do? Oh, wait, don't tell me, I want to see for myself." Applejack smiled tolerantly as her marefriend seized the covered mirror carefully with her telekinesis, floating it out of the cart and in through the front door of the store before setting it down on the floor, its back resting against one of the tables at an angle. The farmer followed her marefriend in and sat to the side, watching the eager unicorn carefully undo the canvas with her magic with a smile, the brown cloth slowly sliding away from it, the silvery surface of the mirror slowly revealing itself, the canvas covering sliding over onto a nearby bench before Rarity returned her attention to the mirror.

The unicorn's shriek jerked Applejack into action, the farmer leaping forward to hug her marefriend as the wild-eyed pony stumbled away from the mirror. "That's terrible!" Rarity wailed to her marefriend, whacking Applejack's chest with her hooves.

"Constarn it Rarity, it just makes you look like a princess! It ain't anything bad!"

Applejack could feel the seamstress quivering against her, and looking down at her face, could see fear in her eyes, tears running down her cheeks as she sniffled. "What do you mean?" she asked, shaking slightly. "That isn't what it showed at all!"

"Did that vendor trick us and give us the wrong mirror?" Applejack growled, her eyes narrowing, while Rarity relaxed slightly against her marefriend.

"You think he pulled a trick on you?"

"I don't know, let me have a look at it." Applejack slowly released her marefriend, who watched with trepedation as the farmer stepped towards the mirror. The orange earth pony's face grew puzzled as she tilted her head, the pony in the mirror doing the same.

"What are you talking about Rarity? This is exactly what the mirror in the market did."

Rarity rose to her hooves and moved next to her marefriend, Applejack watching her approach over her shoulder, giving her an encouraging smile, but the tears only began anew as Rarity gazed into the mirror once more, the tailor's legs going out from under her as she collapsed to the floor next to her marefriend.

Applejack turned her head to look back at the mirror, trying to see what her lover saw, and her eyes grew wide. In the mirror, the regal alicorn's eyes did the same, her mane flowing in an ethereal breeze beside her neck, her tail doing the same behind her. In the mirror, the farmer stood tall and regal, no longer a little pony, but instead a princess, full grown as Celestia.

But it wasn't her own reflection that made her eyes grow wide, but what stood beside her: a weathered tombstone with three blue diamonds glittering above the name of the pony laid to rest beneath it.

Next prompt: Affection

11. Affection - by bahatumay

11. Affection - bahatumay

bahatumay

Affection.

As every business owner knows, there are some ideals that stay the same across the board, regardless of actual occupation. Among these is the well-known virtue of getting up early.

Of course, each pony has a different definition of 'early'. Rarity had woken up to see that, as usual, Applejack had arisen and left for her morning chores without waking her up. Normally she would pretend to pout about being loved and then left, but today was different. Today, she knew Applejack would be back for breakfast, and she planned to go all out and make something truly special. She trotted into the kitchen and began to hum as she whipped up some fresh batter, and mentally sighed in relief that Sweetie Belle was not here this weekend. After all, crepes are already notoriously difficult to make, and she really didn't want to know what the filly that was capable of burning juice would do to them.

*  *  *

Applejack barged into Rarity's boutique and sighed in relief. "Ah'm home!" she called cheerfully.

Rarity stuck her head out of the kitchen and put a fake frown on her face. "Must you be so loud?" she asked.

"Aw, Rares, surely ya don't mean that. You wouldn't love me if'n Ah wasn't." She walked into the kitchen and grinned. "And besides, you're louder'n me anyway."

"We are not having that conversation this early in the morning," Rarity said firmly even as her cheeks tinged with pink.

"Fine by me," Applejack said dismissively. "Ah'm just here for breakfast anyway."

"Glad to know I'm so adored," Rarity said dryly.

Applejack paused in front of the large pile of crepes. "What's this?" she asked, bringing up a hoof and prodding experimentally at this new food.

"They're crepes, darling."

"Crepes," Applejack tasted the word and rolled it around in her mouth a few times before rendering her verdict. "They look just like really thin pancakes without the apple chunks."

Rarity lifted the plate with her magic and brought it to the table, making sure to flick Applejack in the nose with her tail as she walked by. "They are not just 'pancakes', Applejack. They are a time-honored breakfast tradition in many circles,"

"Ah still think somepony just added too much water to the batter," Applejack muttered, but she still came to the table and took a seat.

Rarity sat down with perfect poise and lifted over a single crepe. She gently scooped some cream onto her crepe. She then delicately placed strawberry halves all along the center, and rolled it up neatly. With skill and grace, she took the strawberry sauce and drizzled it all along the top in a zigzag pattern. With a healthy coating of powdered sugar, she deemed her breakfast perfect. Now fully prepared to enjoy her breakfast, she lifted it up and brought it to her mouth.

Well, she almost did. This masterpiece dropped back down to the plate as she caught sight of Applejack attempting to force a crepe into her mouth, and getting frustrated when it kept falling apart.

"What are you doing?" Rarity shrieked.

"Eatin'," Applejack said around a mouthful of crepe.

"No! No, no, no! That's not how crepes are to be eaten! You have to put toppings on them. You have to care for them."

"What toppings? You don't even have syrup," Applejack pointed out.

"Syrup does not go on crepes!"

Applejack rolled her eyes and muttered something about some ponies making breakfast a far too complicated affair.

"All right," she said. "Where's the peanut butter?"

"Put this on," Rarity said, floating over a small jar. "It's better on crepes, anyway."

"Hazelnut spread," Applejack read off the label. "Ah dunno..."

"Trust me. You will love it."

Applejack took the jar and spread it thickly.

"Not like that! The crepes are delicate, and must be treated with care!"

"This ain't breakfast," Applejack grumbled as she returned the knife to the jar with a bit more force than was strictly necessary. "Breakfast is fast, easy, and it's got no rules."

As much as Rarity tried to suppress her feelings, this actually hurt her. She had spent quite a bit of time on this, making sure she had everything she needed to make their weekend breakfast special, and Applejack didn't seem to appreciate any of it. The frown that crossed her face was real, no teasing this time.

Applejack realized she had crossed a line. "Rarity, Ah didn't..."

"No," Rarity said firmly. "Just eat the way you like, then."

Applejack got up, walked around the table, and gently wrapped her forelegs around Rarity, who merely sat there and didn't return the gesture.

"Your simple offerings of affection won't help you this time," Rarity said stiffly, bringing up a hoof to try and loosen Applejack's hold.

"But Ah like affection," Applejack protested, still continuing to press up against her.

"Can't say I feel the same right now," Rarity mumbled, but she stopped trying to push Applejack away.

Applejack progressed to nuzzling her under the chin, just the way she liked it. "Look, Rarity, Ah didn't mean nothin' by it. It's just... at my house, when it's breakfast time, we're fightin' for pancakes and hashbrowns and scrambled eggs and everythin', and Ah guess that's what Ah was thinkin'. Your world's a bit different, and Ah'm still findin' my way." She grinned. "Kindof like our first dinner together, right?"

"Oh, don't remind me," Rarity said, finally cracking a smile. "Chasing the waiter down for your salad fork back? They're supposed to take it."

"Ah swear, Ah saw more silverware that night than my whole family has," Applejack grinned. "But you know, it's not the dinner Ah liked so much."

"Really?"

"It was spendin' time with you. Ah didn't want nothin' fancy for breakfast this morning; Ah just wanted an excuse to stay here."

Rarity rolled her eyes, but finally returned the hug. "Thanks, Applejack," she said.

"That means Ah'm forgiven, right?" Applejack asked hopefully.

"We'll see," Rarity said, giving her a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. "First, though, try this." Without releasing Applejack, she lit her horn and lifted another crepe. She spread the hazelnut spread on it, added a strawberry and cinnamon sugar, and rolled it up. "Now, eat the crepe the way it is supposed to be eaten."

Applejack took a bite of the offered crepe, and her eyes widened.

"Rarity?" she said softly.

"Yes, Applejack?"

"This is delicious."

Next prompt: Silk

12. Silk - by Drizzle Quill

12. Silk - Drizzle Quill

Drizzle Quill.

Silk.

“Rare…Ah know it’s Date Night an’ all, an’ Ah know it’s yer turn to pick, but…do we really have to spend the time makin’ dresses, of all Celestia’s things?”

“Silk dresses, Applejack!” came the eager reply. “Silk! They will be beautiful and wonderful for our trip to Manehatten in a few weeks. Besides –” Rarity glanced over at her marefriend, blue eyes dead serious. “After those…those monstrosities you made with my cutie mark, I’d say you need the practice.”

Applejack groaned, tipping her hat back just a little so the brim didn’t cover her face and trotted forward, begging to reason.

“Ah don’t think Ah can make silk dresses all fancy-like,” she muttered, lifting up some of the fabric with one hoof and dropping it.

“Nonsense! Once you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” Rarity levitated a roll of silk and a tape measure and began to observe the length and width of the pink material.

“But—”

Rarity turned, eyes half-lidded. “Do not try to back out of this one, Applejack. I went to that rodeo with you last week, and now you must repay the favor.” She turned and began to mess with her silk again.

“Can Ah at least do somethin’ for ya other than make the dress?” Applejack pleaded, green eyes pleading. Rarity stared at them for a few moments, in which sapphire met emerald, and frowned.

“Well, that sets back my plans a bit, as I’ll have to think of a new role you can accomplish so you’d be a part of this night,” she contemplated, staring up at the ceiling.

Applejack just stared, hoping for the best, and broke into a large grin when a delighted look appeared in Rarity’s eyes. “Ya thought of a way for me to escape – Ah mean, help in some other way?”

“Absolutely!” The unicorn grinned, white teeth flashing mischievously. “I know the perfect way you could help! And I trust that you’ll love it.”

About an hour and a half later, the true meaning of Rarity’s idea was revealed by Applejack in a long pink gown rimmed with white cotton and laced with silver thread. She stared at it in disgust, and then looked back up at her marefriend. “Rarity. Rare. Ya know that wasn’t what Ah had in mind, right?” The farmpony lifted up one hoof, green eyes irritated. “Ah look awful.”

“You look beautiful,” Rarity murmured.

AJ looked up. “Ya…ya really think so?”

“You look beautiful,” Rarity whispered again. “Gorgeous. Simply…” She choked on something – were those tears? – and sighed, tipping her head to one side. “…gorgeous.”

Applejack smiled. Maybe if Ah got to see her this happy, it wasn’t a bad idea to dress in silk after all.

Next prompt: Crying

14. Greed - by bahatumay

14. Greed - bahatumay

bahatumay

Greed.

It was a dark, cold night when Applejack trotted back into town. She arrived back at the boutique a bit later than usual, but that was to be expected this time of year, right?

The door was locked. That was a bit of a surprise, but Applejack had long since been given a key. She trotted upstairs, took a quick shower, and jumped into bed. She wrapped her forelegs around Rarity, but the second surprise of the night occurred--Rarity scooted away.

Applejack sat up. "Rarity?" she asked.

"Where were you?" Rarity demanded coldly.

"Workin'. No need to get greedy."

"Greedy?" Rarity sat up, and Applejack was taken aback to see that she had been crying. "Greedy? Do you know what today was?" she demanded.

Applejack bit her lower lip. "Uh... Second to last day of harvest?"

"Our anniversary!"

Applejack's jaw dropped. She sprinted out of Rarity's room and over to the calendar on the wall. Her jaw dropped.

"Ah..." Her face fell and her eyes flicked from side to side as she quickly tried to think of something, anything to fix this, but she had nothing. Absolutely nothing.

She still stared stunned at the calendar when she heard Rarity come in. "You'd... you'd forgotten," Rarity said.

Applejack looked back with a look of horror. She suddenly noticed the glasses on the table and plates of food... rather, plate, singular. Hers. Still untouched.

"Ah'm so sorry," she whispered. "Harvest, and..." She bowed her head. "That ain't no excuse. Ah'm sorry, Rarity." She turned, face down and unable to meet Rarity's eyes, and walked towards the door.

"Applejack?"

Applejack paused, unable to raise her eyes.

"I knew what I was getting into when we started this. And perhaps 'greed' would only describe me if I wanted you to conform to exactly what I wanted."

Applejack could hear the tiny, tearful smile in her voice.

"By my clock," she continued, "there are still two and a half hours left in our night, if you'd like to stay?"

Applejack looked back with a tiny tear in her own eye. "Ah'd like that," she said softly. "Ah'd like that a lot."

Next prompt: Glass

15. Glass - by Grimmred

15. Glass - Grimmred

Grimmred

Glass.

Rarity was a poor seamstress who could barely make a living. Her profession was an oxymoron in and of itself. She made clothes for ponies, but ponies never wore clothes. She was destitute, living alone with her unfashionable parents and a sister who could burn a glass of orange juice!

One day a lovely purple unicorn came to the poor village where Rarity lived. She was of noble birth and saw the beautiful, stunning, intelligent, fashionable, hard working, generous- Oh, sorry- She saw the poor mare working hard and gave her the chance she deserved. With one shiny new ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala Rarity went to work pouring her soul, and her life savings, into the most beautiful gown anypony had ever seen.

The whole Gala went silent as Rarity entered the room. All eyes where on her as she descended the stairs with poise, gently greeting the noble ponies. As she walked the crowd parted for her making a clear path to the noble mare Applejack. With no greetings they danced and the room faded away. It was just them on the ballroom floor.

It all ended too quickly as the bell struck midnight and rarity had to leave, galloping away back to being a nopony seamstress. Applejack, being the caring and gentle mare she was, gave chase but was soon left with just a glass horseshoe.

"Okay Sugarcube, I just cant take it any more! I know we agreed to try some role playing but, really?" Applejack said holding a glass horse shoe. At fist she was uncomfortable with the overly dramatic costume but she figured they would be taking them off soon enough. As the scene went on, and on, and on, she started to loose the mood, then her interest.

"Oh, but Darling we haven't even gotten to the part where you put the horseshoe back on my hoof" Rarity said flopping her hoof back and forth "That's the most romantic part!"

"It just don't make no sense! How can you live alone with your family? And who in their right mind would wear a horseshoe made of glass? You'd cut your hooves up something bad. And another thing, why am I-" Rarity stopped Applejacks tirade with a deep and passionate kiss.

"How about we try yours next time?" Rarity said in a throaty whisper, batting her eyelashes seductively.

Next prompt: Carrots.

16. Sunrise - by The Princess Rarity

16. Sunrise - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Sunrise.

Was this... real?

It couldn't be, could it?

Here, at the crack of dawn, just as the sun began to peek over the horizon, with a pounding headache, in disbelief, Applejack honestly thought that she was still asleep. This had to have been a dream. Last night's events were a blur, but it didn't matter. Now was the only importance.

Rarity was in her hooves, looking more beautiful than she ever had before.

Smudged makeup, frizzed-out mane, an adorable little smile on her muzzle as she peacefully slept...

It was the center of countless fantasies, and Applejack thought that was all it'd ever be.

She had always thought she had a snowball's chance in Tartarus with Rarity, but, maybe, just maybe...

Perhaps all hope wasn't lost.

After all, destiny was a funny thing, wasn't it?

...And that had to have been the only force that was pulling them together right now.

Next prompt: Miracle.

18. Nothing - by The Princess Rarity

18. Nothing - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Nothing.

The pristine white newly fallen snow decorated the bustling city beautifully, as if it was a scene fresh out of a film, and though many ponies were cheerful as they strolled the streets, or were seen happy together indoors, away from the cold, but nonetheless admiring it, one certain mare was not as joyful as the rest.

She blended in with the winter scenery well, what with her alabaster coat, and sapphire blue eyes that sparkled like the snowflakes.

...but unlike time and time again, her eyes were not sparkling with joy - instead, tears glossed them over.

The ancient iron fence that guarded the cemetery loudly squeaked as she used her magic to open it, and slowly, almost cautiously, she stepped into the seemingly endless field that felt so eerily haunting, which was fitting, for her location.

Frozen stones, each engraved with different words about different past souls, were placed in random areas, but none of them fazed Rarity as she continued to trudge through the snow, in an almost robotic-like manner. She knew this path all too well - she could have easily gone through it more than twenty times in the past six months... but now was a special occasion.

Before, it was only to cry and wallow in misery, muttering nonsense about her broken heart, and wishes of how it could all be the same as before.

But alas, not even the most powerful of medicine nor magic could heal this pain.

And finally.

She had found it.

What she had been looking for this whole time.

One of the newest spots in the graveyard, with a simple headstone, that was underneath a tree, which was very fitting for the mare who was buried here.

Jacqueline Apple

Beloved sister, grand-daughter, friend and wife

Thirty-nine years of age

She will be missed

"Hello, darling," Rarity said softly. "It's me." The wind lightly whistled and she let out a sigh. "Yes, I know, it's been too often, but this visit should be an exception." She couldn't bear to look at the solid stone anymore and turned her face to the freezing cold ground. "I... I understand you wouldn't want me to be like this, and I try not to dwell on it, although..."

She glanced to the golden chain hung around her neck, and the silver band that was dangling from it. Carefully, she placed her hoof on it and released a deep breath.

"Today would have been our tenth anniversary," Rarity murmured. "and as I told you back then, I still mean it when I say that being married to you was one of the greatest gifts life could have ever given me..." A single tear fell to the frozen ground, and she lightly shuddered, but not so much from the cold. "And before you passed, we both know I made a promise to you. A promise I told you I most likely couldn't keep."

"Rares," Applejack let out a light groan as she rubbed her forehead with a hoof. "We both know Ah don't have long t' go and-"

"Don't say that." Rarity muttered, as she choked back a sob, looking up at her sickly wife. "You'll make it. You have to."

The farmer let out a low chuckle and managed a wry smile, "Ah cain't decide that, sugarcube, an' neither can you." The hospital's scarily cold silence filled a moment between them, only before the earth pony continued, "So, if'n Ah don't get outta here, can ya do somethin' fer me?"

"Anything," the dressmaker whimpered. "Say the word, Applejack, and I would change Equestria for you if I could."

Managing to find the strength to roll her eyes playfully, Applejack took her wife's hoof into her own and their gazes locked. "Promise me that ya ain't gon' lock yerself up an' dwell ov'r me." she stated. "Jus' move on wit' yer life."

"I..." Rarity looked deep into her lover's tired, weary emerald eyes and let out a sigh. "There's no guarantees, but... anything for you."

"But, no matter," she sighed. "I intend to at least try and respect your final wish."

And with that, Rarity levitated the necklace off and gently placed it over the headstone, so the wedding ring hung right over the carving of her deceased lover's name.

...it felt so odd to have nothing holding her back now.

Somehow, just taking that simple accessory off lifted away a few burdens.

Even if her heart was still shattered in pieces, it was a start.

Next prompt: Holiday.

19. Holiday - by FierceRainbow

19. Holiday - FierceRainbow

FierceRainbow

Holiday.

Rarity trotted down the quiet streets of early morning Ponyville. It was quite nice, birds chirping in the trees with no loud, obnoxious ponies to scare them away. She would have like to go through one of the pretty green parks but no, she had a very target in mind. Already the houses were spreading further and further apart as she left town. Fluttershy’s house was coming up, animal roaming around the sweet cottage.

I shall have to pop in and see her on the way back, she thought as she passed her friend’s home. I haven’t seen her since our last spa day. The next one’s tomorrow, isn’t? she squealed in delight as the spa rose to her head. Oh, I wish Applejack would come with us. Her mane really is quite soft, she could look so pretty… perhaps I’ll just mock her a little until she agrees. No, no, not today. I must be civil, it’s very important.

Her determination refuelled she began to trot faster, almost galloping, but she wouldn’t do that because she would sweat and sweating was disgusted. It was the one reason she disliked hot days. Cool shade enveloped her and she looked up to trees with dark, glossy leaves and juicy red fruit. She blushed slightly as her stomach growled thought nobody was around to hear.

“Hungry, Rare?” An orange earth pony with a golden-blonde mane tucked under a worn old Stetson hat stepped onto the path, grinning.

“Applejack!” Rarity screeched jumping back a good few step. She placed a hoof to her chest to still her beating heart. This is going all wrong! “W-what are you doing here?”

“Ah live here,” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Ah was jus’ doin’ some early buckin’.” She indicated some baskets full of apples with her head.

“Why, yes, of course,” she tried to collect herself. “I didn’t mean that question, obviously, I was just, oh, um, you know what I mean.” She waved her hoof.

“Not quite, but ah’ll roll with it,” the farm pony came closer. “Th’real question is what a ya doin’ here? Ah though ya liked to get that pretty sleep thing?”

“It’s beauty sleep, darling,” she responded immediately. “And yes, actually, you are most correct. I did come here to ask you something.”

“Well get to it then,” Applejack tapped a hoof jokingly. “Ah wanna buck some more apples before ah kick the bucket.”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “I was going to ask you to come on a holiday with me to Shell Bay. I have two tickets. I,” she took a deep breath. “I heard it was very romantic.”

Applejack froze. “Romantic? Are ya askin’ me out.”

She trembled slightly. “I believe I am. Can your apples spare you for a week?” I’m beginning to sweat! I hope she doesn’t notice…

A wide grin spread across her face. “Ah bet they can, jus’ fer one week.”

Rarity squealed very loudly and, in a rather un-ladylike manner jumped and knocked Applejack over.

Next prompt: Golden.

21. Sunset - by The Princess Rarity

21. Sunset - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Sunset.

Applejack always had a love for naturalistic sceneries - especially just when the world seemed to change, in those brief, beautiful moments, particularly sunrises and sunsets.

...Mostly sunsets, though.

The horizon would turn a beautiful shade of orange, and the clouds would look like fluffy pink cotton candy (although, thank Celestia it actually wasn't), then it would slowly but surely fade in beautiful violet, navy and silver, all mixed in one, with the stars twinkling perfectly.

She'd wish on those stars, even if they weren't shooting across the sky.

They just seemed magical to her.

Even if the wishes never came true, it never really bothered her.

...so long as she could spend each and every evening watching the sun set with Rarity, nothing else really mattered.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" the fashionista murmured as she gazed out upon the horizon, letting out a sigh at the sudden peacefulness of all the land.

However, Applejack's eyes were not fixated upon the sky, but instead, she was gazing upon her lover, and she gave a smile, replying with simply, "Sure is."

With that said, their gazes met, as did their lips in a soft, sweet, passionate kiss and all the world was right.

Next prompt: Wedding.

22. Wedding - by Titanium Dragon

22. Wedding - Titanium Dragon

Titanium Dragon

Rarity stirred as golden light touched her face, making her blink and slowly open her eyes. She smiled at the sight before her - golden locks flowing over her nose, reflecting the light of the sun into her eyes. Leaning forward, she gave Applejack a gentle kiss on the back of her head, breathing in the scent of her mane as she squeezed her lover with her hooves.

Applejack snuggled back into Rarity's chest, pressing the top of her head up against the unicorn's jaw.

"Mornin'," she said sleepily, a smile coming to her own lips as she began to slowly roll over to return the kiss that Rarity had given her. The pair's gazes met, and Rarity leaned forward to give Applejack another kiss on the nose.

"Did you sleep well?" Rarity whispered, her hooves slowly traveling down her lover's back, feeling lean muscle under orange fur.

Applejack nodded. "Mmhmm." She gave Rarity another kiss, the pair using their hooves to pull themselves closer to one another, savoring the shared warmth of their bodies as they lay tangled beneath the sheets. Time passed - neither knew how long - as they lay there, simply enjoying each other's company.

It was Applejack who finally broke the silence. "I guess I should go make breakfast," she said, moving to disentangle herself from her lover before Rarity gave her a squeeze.

"You made dinner last night," Rarity said quietly, leaning forward to rub her snout against Applejack's. "I'll make breakfast, and bring it to you."

Applejack chuckled. "If you insist," she said, relaxing back into the mattress as she let her eyes rest on the beautiful unicorn.

Rarity shifted, moving slowly as to avoid accidentally kicking her bedmate before slowly sliding herself down to the floor, stretching her legs as she hobbled forward several steps, swishing her tail before walking over to Applejack's mirror. "Oh, I'm a mess," the unicorn fussed, using her magic to pull open Applejack's drawers, pulling out her marefriend's brush before Applejack's voice interrupted her.

"Aw, you don't have to do that," Applejack said from the bed, sitting up slightly. "Ain't no one here but me to see, and I'm just gonna muss it up again after breakfast. 'Sides, I kinda like it when you ain't all fancy."

Rarity's cheeks flushed at her lover's comment, but hesitated. She loved to be neat and tidy, but... after several seconds of indecision, the unicorn returned the brush to the drawer, drawing a quiet chuckle from Applejack.

"Thatta girl," she said, grinning.

Rarity smiled back over her shoulder at the reclining pony before opening the door, slowly strutting out of the room, swishing her tail as she vanished out into the hallway. Taking a deep breath, Rarity began walking downstairs - she could practically smell breakfast cooking already.

"Mornin'," Big Mac said to Rarity as she stepped into the kitchen, drawing a nod and a smile from the unicorn before she froze, her eyes wide as realization paralyzed her - she could smell breakfast cooking. Granny Smith was standing by the stove, holding a skillet in her mouth as she cooked eggs over the burner, while Apple Bloom was sitting at the table with her older brother, eagerly awaiting breakfast.

"Mornin' Rarity!" the filly chirped cheerfully, the friendly smile on her face turning to an expression of confusion. "What are you doin' here? Did Applejack have a sleepover last night?"

Rarity's mouth worked, her face crimson. "Applejack said you weren't going to be back from Appleoosa until this evening!"

"We got the cannin' done early," Granny Smith said from the stove, before grabbing a spatula and poking at the eggs.

"Thought we'd give her a little surprise and make breakfast for her as a way of sayin' thanks for lookin' after the farm all by her lonesome. Guess she weren't so lonesome after all." The elderly pony winked at Rarity, making her cheeks burn all the more.

"B-b-but..."

"Now don't fret your head none. We ain't judging ya for keepin' Applejack company. But it mighta been nice for her to tell us before she got hitched."

Rarity's mouth hung open. She tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come.

"You should close that mouth of yours before y'all catch some flies."

Apple Bloom's squeaky voice rose. "Y'all are married?"

"No!" Rarity said, a bit more forcefully than she had intended.

"What? Y'all are sleepin' together and ya ain't even married yet? What were you young'un's thinkin'?" As Rarity opened her voice to answer, Granny Smith cut her off again. "No, I know what y'all are thinkin', but it just ain't right. Big Macintosh, you think you and your sister can get a wedding together this mornin'?"

"Eyup," the big stallion said placidly before leaning down to sip at his coffee.

Rarity was flabbergasted. "A wedding takes weeks to properly plan for! You have to send invitations! Dresses! Flowers! Rings!"

"Now don't you worry your pretty little head. Your family lives right here in Ponyville, right? We'll just have Big Mac swing by their house and pick 'em up. I'm sure we could get 'em here by this afternoon." Granny Smith paused for a moment. "As for the rest of it, I'm sure I've still got my old weddin' dress up in the attic somewhere. Apple Bloom, why don't you go see if you can find it."

"Sure thing, Granny!" the little filly said, speeding off towards the stairs as Rarity began to back out of the room.

"But my wedding is supposed to be perfect!" The unicorn wailed.

"Well it ain't our fault y'all jumped the gun. Or into bed. Or whatever it is you kids call it these days."

"Eyup," Big Mac repeated from his seat before taking another slow drink of his coffee.

Stumbling backwards into the hall, Rarity turned and galloped up the stairs, flinging herself into Applejack's room, her eyes wide.

"Did I just see Apple Bloom trot by the door?" Applejack asked the unicorn as Rarity frantically cast her eyes around the room, as if trying to look for some way to escape.

"They're back!" Rarity said in the most dramatic tone of voice she could muster, drawing a chuckle from Applejack.

"I guess they were tryin' to surprise me with breakfast in bed too."

Rarity trembled. "But you don't understand! Granny Smith wants us to get married!"

Applejack smiled. "That's right sweet of her, but I'm not sure either of us are ready for that quite yet."

"Today!"

Applejack blinked. "Come again?"

"She wants us to get married this afternoon!" Rarity swooned, but all her declaration earned from Applejack was laughter. "I don't see what's so funny about this."

"Aw, don't you worry," Applejack said, rising from her bed to walk over and nuzzle at the unicorn. "Granny Smith was just teasin'."

"Teasing?" Rarity asked, her voice trembling.

"Yup! Granny Smith has quite the sense of humor. She didn't mean it." Applejack lifted her head to give Rarity a kiss on top of her snout, bringing a small but warm smile to the unicorn's face.

"I found it!" Came Apple Bloom's voice from upstairs, followed by the sound of trotting hooves, then a crash.

"What in tarnation?" Applejack asked, before her sister leaped down the stairs from the attic carrying an old, moth-eaten dress in her mouth. Upon spying her sister, the filly dropped the dress.

"Oh hi Applejack!  How do y'all like your dress?" she asked, holding it up for a moment before Granny Smith's voice came from downstairs.

"Apple Bloom?"

"Comin' Granny!" the little filly said, grasping the dress firmly in her mouth once more before trotting downstairs. Applejack and Rarity looked at each other for a moment before Applejack started walking towards the door.

"On second thought, maybe I'd better have a talk with Granny Smith."

Next prompt:

23. Manners - by Twilight-The-Pony

23. Manners - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Manners

“No, Applejack. You need to walk gracefully,” Rarity held her head high, her eyes almost closed, putting one hoof in front of another in a very calculated manner. “It’s all in the movement. See?”

Applejack shook her head upon seeing Rarity walk around like a stereotypical high-class snob.

“Oh, come on, Applejack,” Rarity sighed. “It’s just for a few hours... My parents are coming tomorrow, and I want the first impressions to be absolutely perfect!”

Applejack shook her head again. “I ain’t doin’ fancy. Why can’t I just be... You know... Me?”

“Please, Applejack? I’m afraid, that my parents might not be as accepting about these kind of... relationships as our friends are.”

Applejack stared at Rarity for a few seconds before lightly nodding. She took a step towards the unicorn, slightly bumping muzzles. “I promise I’ll try my best, Rares. But you’ll have to show me everything again...”

“Huh? But I’ve just showed—”

“Erm... I was kinda distracted by your flank, so I didn’t pay much of attention to what you wanted to show me.”

Rarity’s face flared up like a red carpet on fire within a heartbeat. “You’re incorrigible, Applejack,” she responded with a sickly sweet voice.

“Nah,” Applejack shrugged. “I like pies more.”

“But that doesn’t— Hmph. Look Applejack. Just watch me how I walk.”

“Mhm.”

“Applejack?”

“Yes?”

“Please stop staring at my flank...”

~*~*~

“Now, Applejack, do you remember everything that I’ve told you?” Rarity nervously  shifted her hooves as the sound of a chariot approached.

Applejack nodded with heavy heart, putting her trusty hat onto the one of the mannequins in Rarity’s work room. “I will miss you, friend.”

She turned around, quickly breathed some air onto her hoof to take a quick whiff of it. It smelled minty fresh with a hint of Rarity’s perfume, which put a smile on her face, now determined more than ever before to make an ever-lasting impression on Rarity’s parents. This is not something that Applejack would do for herself, not even in a million years. But she would do it for her. She would do that for them.

Rarity flinched as the doors from the chariot now slammed shut, making her start sweating with anticipation and excitement as the list of possible reactions rushed through her mind, and with each scenario that she analyzed, she was getting more and more uncomfortable and anxious, now almost at the brink of running away instead of facing her parents with the news.

She could only faintly hear the yell of “Look out!” from the outside before a hoofball shattered the window, hitting a nearby mannequin and knock it off to the ground.

Rarity stood in the middle of the room looking in shock at the front door as they flew open, swiping the shards of glass from the path.

First to enter was Rarity’s dad; his shirt was now torn and dirty, his sombrero ruined. Close behind followed her mom with a ton of dirt on her face, her mane in a big mess. The last through the door was bouncing Sweetie Belle with specs of dirt all over herself.

“I told you that I can play hoofball as well!” Sweetie exclaimed. “O hey sis!”

“I—”

Applejack trotted in the most lady-like manner she could muster. "G-good evening," she said, successfully hiding her accent.

"Oh! You didn't say that you have visitors Rarity,” harshly interjected her father... “Why don’t you introduce us to this charming young lady?”

“I—”

“The name is Applejack,” she introduced herself with a slight bow, completely failing to hide her accent this time around, causing her to put a hoof over her mouth.

"Applejack? Oh; Rarity told us a whole lot about you in her letters, but she never told us where you’re from... Let me guess... Canterlot?”

“Hay, no. Sweet Apple Acres!”

“Sweet Apple Acres? The biggest farm in Ponyville and home of the Zap Apple Jam?”

“Yesire.”

“My grandpa told me about that when I was a filly. He also told me that Apples aren’t really into fancy things...”

“Well... you see... I... um... Rarity...” Applejack started to sweat and nervously look around for some sort of encouragement to speak her mind.

“What's that?”

“I um.... would like to... um...  ask your permission to... m...“

“M?”

“mrglbh,” Applejack muttered unintelligibly.

“A what?”

“Oh I know!” Sweetie Belle squeaked as she managed to catch a part of the conversation. “Applejack wants to marry Rarity! I’ve overheard them talking about it when I was playing hide and seek with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.”

Applejack’s face was now redder than a ripe tomato in a red-hot furnace on the hot summer day. If there was a chance, Applejack would melt into the ground or run away, if her legs would carry her.

“Rarity!” her mother demanded from the still-shocked unicorn upon hearing Sweetie Belle’s slip of the mouth. “Is this how we raised you?”

But Rarity couldn’t do much more than just close her mouth and hang her head. She had more than a fair share of surprises for one single day. She wanted nothing else than a warm hug from her marefriend, telling her that everything is going to be all right or that this is just a very bad dream and that she’ll wake up in their luxury bed with warm and loving breaths from a sleeping mare on her neck.

But none of those came to be.

Rarity’s mother snorted again, snapping her out of her reverie. “Well?”

“But I—”

“Is this how we raised you? We have been here for ten minutes, find out without your help that you want to get married with a mare and all you do is just stand here with your mouth open and not even introduce her to us? Where are your manners, daughter?”

“But I— We— I’ve just—”

“Well? Are you going to introduce us to her or not?”

Yet another realization, that the proper introduction of her marefriend, even with unfortunate sequence of events that occurred, was far more important than the fact, that she dated a mare, made Rarity grin and collapse to the floor a moment later.

“Such manners.”

~*~*~

Rarity could feel soft taps of a hoof on her muzzle as she slowly opened her eyes, a crimson filly unicorn in front of her eyes coming into a focus.

“Good morning Silver Streak,” she spoke softly as she gazed into the eyes of the filly, making the tapping stop.

“Hey, mom! Can I go play outside with some fillies?”

“Sure. But introduce yourself politely first.”

“Sure, mom!” the filly ran towards the entrance of the Boutique, expelling a loud burp half way out.

“Silver Streak! Manners!” Rarity shouted behind the distancing filly.

“She sure is an Apple,” Applejack snickered as she wrapped her hooves around Rarity.

“Mmmm. I’ve forgotten how a week off feels. Maybe we should have one of those more often?”

“Nah. There’s too much to do.”

“You’re right,” Rarity smiled as she turned towards her wife, stealing a kiss from the mare in front of her. “So let’s make the best of it.”

~*~*~

“Rarity? Are you okay?” Applejack asked the mare that was still lying on the floor.

Rarity nodded slightly as Applejack helped her back onto her hooves. “Mom? Dad? I have to tell you something...”

“But we already know everything Rarity,” her mom interjected. “You would like to get married to a great-granddaughter of the founders of Ponyville. And we have nothing against that.”

“I‘m pregnant.”

Next prompt:

24. Temptation - by Titanium Dragon

24. Temptation - Titanium Dragon

Titanium Dragon

Temptation

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/146468/temptation

Next prompt: Pretentious

25. Pretentious - by Twilight-The-Pony

25. Pretentious - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Pretentious

“Hrmph!” Rarity snorted, her head now held high.

“But miss Rarity—,” one of the servants bowed and took two steps back from the mare.

“That’s lady Rarity to you,” she snorted looking down at the embarrassed stallion.

“I- I’m sorry, lady Rarity, but this is the best room in Canterlot,” the servant stuttered. “This quality matches the one of the rooms in Canterlot castle.”

Rarity blinked. “Canterlot castle?” She took a step towards the stallion. “Canterlot castle?!? Have you ever been there?”

Another step. “The drapes aren’t symmetrical, the lamp is crooked, the candles aren’t new, and the wine you’re serving is nothing more than old juice.”

“But I—”

“I am expecting some important company soon. I hope that you’re going to be nicer to them than you are to me.”

“Y-yes, ma’am,” the stallion stuttered as he retreated through the door.

“Canterlot castle my flank,” she muttered as she looked around. “This looks like it hasn’t been dusted in days...”

~*~*~

“Excuse me, ma’am. Are you lost?” the receptionist asked with obviously fake kindness in his voice, looking at the orange mare with three apples painted on her flank.

“Hay, no. This is Canterlot Hotel, no?”

“Ah, yes. You must be the new hire for the boiler room. The servant access is in the back, miss.”

Applejack blinked and tilted her head a little. “Servant...? I came to see Rarity.”

The stallion laughed. “Lady Rarity? She’s expecting important guests, and not—” he looked closely at Applejack. Her hooves were dirty and her mane looked like it wasn’t washed in few days. Her hat looked like something from a bad cowcolt movie.

“Walking dirt.”

“Now wait just a darn minute—”

“Run along now, before I call the security.”

“Security?” Applejack furrowed her brow. “Hey, Rares!” she shouted.

~*~*~

Rarity turned to the called servant. “What was that?”

“Ah, it was just some madpony. she claimed that she came to visit you.”

“She?”

“Yes, ma’am. A very dirty orange pony saying that she knows you...”

Rarity looked quizzically at the stallion. “With three apples on her flank?”

“Yes, ma’am. Our security took care of it. We are sorry that she bothered you.”

Rarity blinked. “Security...”

“Yes, ma’am. One of the things this hotel prides of. We take care of everything swiftly and discre—”

“WHERE IS APPLEJACK?!?”

The stallion jumped back, his back now firm against the wall. “B- but...” he squeaked.

“I swear by Celestia! If something happens to her, you’ll be cleaning trash for the rest of your life!”

“B-but y-you’ve said—” the stallion stuttered meekly.

“She is one of the most important mares in Equestria!” Rarity fumed onwards. “Why are you still here?”

The stallion fumbled through the door and quickly disappeared behind the wall.

~*~*~

“Howdy, Rarity!” Applejack chirped upon entering her room.

“That’s lady—” the stallion abruptly stopped as the two mares shot a dark stare towards him. “I—” he bowed hastily and ran out the door.

Rarity gave Applejack a tight hug. “I missed you so much,” she breathed. “I thought—”

Applejack smiled. “Don’t ya worry none ‘bout me... Lady...”

Rarity hung her head.

“I don’t like this place. It makes you act like somepony else. We want the old Rarity back.” Lowering her head, Applejack muttered: “I want her back.”

“B— but why?”

Applejack leaned forward with her eyes closed, stealing a short kiss from the mare in front of her.

Rarity blinked and stared at Applejack.

“Ponyville is empty without you,” Applejack muttered, searching for any kind of reaction from the still-shocked Rarity. Upon seeing none, she sluggishly stood up, turning her back, slowly walking towards the door.

“I’m not going anywhere, Applejack,” Rarity said in determined voice. “Not until you take a shower...”

Next prompt: Snow

27. Bagel - by Twilight-The-Pony

27. Bagel - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Bagel.

“It was the night before Hearts Warming,

below crisp winter skies,

everypony was sleeping

except two lovely mar—”

“Your Lord and Master requires bagels!” squealed a certain squirrel. “And you’re supposed to take me seriously!”

Rarity coughed, looking darkly at the annoying guest.

“Bagelsssssss. And cream cheeeeseeee.”

“It was the night before—”

“Hey! Bagels! Now!” the squirrel demanded. “And cream cheese!”

Rarity snorted. “Can you please be quiet, Flurby? I’m trying to enjoy some time with my marefriend.”

“Foamy!”

“Yes, yes. If I make you a bagel, will you go away?”

“With cream cheese.”

Rarity blinked. “What’s ‘cream cheese’?”

“What kind of world is this? No cream cheese!” Foamy shot his hands into the air and fumed out of the door. “Seriously! No cream cheese! That’s it! There’s no point of taking over this universe if there is no cream cheese!”

“What a strange creature,” Rarity murmured, turning to her marefriend and gave her a soft nuzzle. “Trying to take over the universe. Seriously.”

“I don’t know, Sugarcube. Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad idea,” Applejack tapped her hoof on her chin. “I wouldn’t mind that.”

“Really?” Rarity asked with untainted sweetness in her voice. “Why would you want to do that?”

“Sweet, delicious and crunchy apple pies, of course. With some cream on top. There is never enough of those.”

“Aw,” Rarity sounded disappointed. “No jewels?”

“Nah. ‘Sides. The only jewel I’d like is already between my hooves,” Applejack mused. “I’d even give up on the apple pies for that.”

“Would you really?”

“Hm. How much time do I have to think about— oof!” A soft pillow, wrapped in the glow of Rarity’s magic collided with Applejack’s muzzle, leaving both mares laughing just a moment later.

Applejack tightened her hug around still chuckling mare, losing herself in the hypnotic crackles of the warming fires. “Rarity?”

“Hm?”

“Ah have something for you.” Applejack produced a small package from behind her and hand it to the unicorn. “Happy hearts warming Rarity,” she breathed nervously.

As Rarity was unwrapping her present, Applejack watched in dead silence, releasing her embrace just a little bit. It took just few more seconds for a surprise gasp to sound from the mare in Applejack’s grasp.

“Applejack, are you—”

“Rarity, would you like to marry me?”

“I-” Rarity turned her head, her lips crashing into the ones of the earth pony. “Yes,” she finally breathed as their lips broke apart.

~*~*~

It was the night before Hearts Warming,

below crisp winter skies,

everypony was sleeping

except two lovely mares.

Foamy grinned. “Well, my work here is done. And I know why they won’t be sleeping. And I can’t believe there’s no cream cheese! That’s it! I’m gone!”

Next prompt: Breakfast.

29. Breakfast - by Motion Paradox

29. Breakfast - Motion Paradox

Motion Paradox

Breakfast.

"Perfect!" Rarity chirped as she inspected the final dress "Thank you so much for helping me like this, Applejack". "Aww! It's nothin'" the earth pony replied, blushing. "Oh, but it isn't! You have no idea how much this helps; using a ponyquin gives me a good idea of how a dress looks, but being able to see how it looks on a real Pony makes such a difference. Even if this is the thirteenth time I've made this dress" Rarity said with a smile. The garment in question was a replica of Applejack's gala dress which joined the other eleven, as well as a dozen replicas of each of the other five dresses Rarity had designed for the gala, in a large box addressed to Hoity Toity's shop in Canterlot. With a few quick flourishes of magic the box was sealed and ready for shipping "There" she sighed as she admired her work "I was worried I wouldn't finish in time, but I've finally finished! My first prestigious order! Now all that's left is to give it to the mailmare to deliver tomorrow" As she said this the unicorn smiled at the package and stroked it as if were a kitten.

Applejack smiled at the Unicorn's display "I'm happy for you Rare" she said as she joined her friend "The others are too" "Thank you Applejack" Rarity replied, glancing upward "Oh goodness. Is that really the time?" she asked "I'm sorry for keeping you here so late Applejack. It's far too late to send you home now, would you like to stay here tonight?". Applejack shrugged "Sure, if it's not too much trouble" "Oh, not at all" Rarity replied "My guest room is just down the hall, I always keep it ready in case I have unexpected guests." The pale mare ushered her friend into the hallway "The room is right at the end, over there. I apologise for not being a better hostess, but I should be going to bed right away; I need to wake up early tomorrow, the mailmare will be here to pick the order up at 8:30" "Don't worry sugarcube, I understand" the Earth Pony replied with a wry grin "Sweet Dreams"

The next morning Rarity was curled up in her bed, the warm sunlight brushed against her face, causing her eyes to flutter open. As her mind began to wake up she was presented with a dilemma; on the one hoof she felt refreshed and well rested, more than she had in days, and she certainly didn't feel the need to sleep any longer. But on the other hoof after two weeks of non-stop work and exertion, she didn't especially want to leave her comfortable bed and moment of relaxation "Well....A few more minutes couldn't hurt" she decided, snuggling into her blankets "But only a few minutes". As the unicorn settled into a comfortable position she became aware of a sweet smell in the air "Strange, where could that be coming from?" she wondered.

Her question was soon answered as the door to her bedroom opened and Applejack stepped in carrying a tray "Oh good! You're awake" the orange mare said with a smile as she walked over to the bed and set the tray in front of Rarity "I made you something". Rarity regarded the tray in front of her the way one might regard an old, favoured, childhood toy; after having gone for a while without giving it a thought, now that she was faced with it she wondered how she ever managed to be without it for so long. She distinctly remembered having a sandwich and a nap at some point in the past few days but everything bout the past week seemed so fuzzy now...."Are those....Sweet carrot pancakes?". Applejack replied with a nod as the Unicorn sampled her treat "They're perfect! How did you know these are my favourite?" she asked. "You....uh....sort of told me. When I walked by your room earlier you were mutterin' in your sleep, cider season's still a while off but I figured the pancakes would be doable" the orange mare replied with a wink. Rarity's pale cheeks went bright red from embarrassment, which she attempted to hide beneath her blankets. Applejack chuckled "Hey now, it's nothin' worth getting embarrassed over" "Yes it is~" Rarity whined "It's bad enough to occasionally have the carrot pancake dream, let alone speak during it and having somepony hear it" Applejack seriously doubted that the dream was as infrequent as her friend made it up to be, considering she had given it a title like "The carrot pancake dream", but decided not to embarrass her further and let the issue drop. "Whatever you say, sugarcube. Still it's good you had it today, since I was able to make you breakfast in bed....or I guess it's more like lunch in bed, since it's already 11:30"

"11:30!?" Rarity squealed in horror "Oh nonononono! Now the only way I can have the order delivered on time is if I drop it off myself! Let's see, if I start getting ready now, I should be able to-" "Hold on Sugarcube" Applejack said "Before you go working yourself up, I already took care of sending your order" "You....you did?" the pale mare asked in a stunned whisper, Applejack nodded "Yep. You looked pretty tired last night and I'm used to getting up at dawn, so I was awake already and thought I'd take care of your package so you could get a little more sleep". "Thank you" Rarity replied quietly before a small smile crept across her face "Goodness. First you agree to model for me, and now you've taken care of sending my order off and made my favourite pancakes for me; you've done more to celebrate my first important order than I have" she laughed. "I didn't think of it that way, but I guess I have" the Earth Pony said "Though really I just wanted to apologise to you" "Apologise?" "Uh-huh, for the...."other" dresses. I mean, I know I wasn't the only one who's guilty and you said you forgave us, but I just feel bad about what happened. I know how much your work means to you and we nearly ruined it because we didn't think about what you wanted. And even though it all turned out alright, I can't help thinking we should have noticed how you felt, especially after what happened when Twilight got the tickets. We all should have noticed you weren't happy with those dresses, I should have noticed....So I wanted to do something for you to help make up for it, at least a little"

"Oh Applejack!" Rarity exclaimed, touched by the earth pony's sentiment "Thank you so much! That was so thoughtful of you, you didn't have do all of this...." Her speech trailed off as she turned to Applejack, looking at the orange mare caused her to notice something different about her; Rarity had always considered Applejack pretty, even when they were fillies she had wanted to just once get her hooves on her blonde mane or introduce her to her good friend the makeup kit and bring some of Applejack's potential to the surface. But looking at her this time was different, perhaps it was that Rarity felt the best she had in days which made everything seem as refreshed as she felt, or the thoughtfulness the earth pony was displaying causing the unicorn to see her in a new light, or maybe it had always been there and she was only seeing it now, but there was a sunny glow to her that she had never seen in her before. Looking at her Rarity didn't see the hidden potential she had before, in that moment Applejack truely shined with her potential there for all to see.

"Sugarcube, are you alright?" the earth pony in question asked "You just spaced out there". Rarity nodded "I'm fine, I just noticed something....wonderful"

*****

This may be a bit odd, it doesn't really seem to be shippy until closer to the end and there's also a point that looks like it's more "Rarity x pancakes", I wanted to do a few stories that connect to each other and the actual series (especially since I'm a bit reluctant to post shipping in an actual story). The next one is supposed to tie into the season 1 finale if anyone wants to help me write these a bit faster

Next prompt: Class.

32. Hug - by Titanium Dragon

32. Hug - Titanium Dragon

Titanium Dragon

Hug.

"Why are we doing this again?"

"Shh!"

Scootaloo's ears drooped as her two friends both hissed at her. "I was just asking," she said in a lower tone of voice.

"We're tryin' to see what they're up to. They were awful fast to get rid of us this mornin'."

"Yeah. Rarity even gave us bits to go get hay shakes!"

"So what's the problem?" Scootaloo shook her head. "You two are being weird."

"We ain't bein' weird, our sisters are."

"You're being pretty weird too, hiding in the bushes like this," Scootaloo grumbled. "Why don't we go do something fun?"

"This is fun!"

"No, it isn't, it's boring!"

"Quit fighting!" Sweetie Belle swung her hoof between the two.

"At least give me the binoculars," Scootaloo grumbled, sitting back on her rump and crossing her hooves across her chest.

"Hold yer horses, I'll let you have them in a minute," Apple Bloom said, before rising back up and putting the lenses back to her eyes, peering out through the window of  Carosel Boutique.

"What do you see?" Sweetie Belle asked, leaning forward and squinting.

"Applejack is wearin' a dress."

"A dress?"

"Eyup. And she don't look too happy about it. Rarity's talkin' to her..."

"What's she saying?"

"How should I know? They don't let me hear any better."

"So what? Applejack is wearing a dress, big deal. Even Rainbow Dash wears dresses sometimes."

Apple Bloom lowered the binoculars to look at Scootaloo. "You don't know my sister. She never wore dresses before she was friends with Rarity."

"Fine. Can I look now?"

"I said in a minute."

"That was a minute ago!"

"Girls, please!" Sweetie Belle's shrill voice silenced the pair, before all three fillies ducked their heads down in unison, holding their breath.

"Think they heard us?"

Apple Bloom slowly peeked her head up out of the bushes, lifting the binoculars to her eyes once more. "I don't think so. They're still talkin'. And now Applejack is blushin'."

"Why?"

"I dunno!" Apple Bloom didn't turn to look at Scootaloo as she spoke. "Now they're both laughin'."

"Too bad we can't hear what they're saying."

"Maybe we could if you stopped complaining!"

Apple Bloom pressed the binoculars closer to her eyes. "They're hugging!"

"What?" Sweetie Belle sprung to her feet, pushing Apple Bloom aside before grabbing the binoculars herself and peering through them. "Aww!"

"So what? We hug each other all the time." Scootaloo shook her head.

"Not like that!"

"What do you mean?"

Sweetie Belle giggled. "They're so cute."

"What are they doing?"

"They're rubbing noses."

"Are they kissing?"

"I don't think so..."

Scootaloo rubbed her mane, before rising up and peering out of the bush, squinting her eyes. "I can't see anything."

"They're adorable!" Sweetie Belle lilted.

"Ugh. So why are we sitting around watching your sisters be mushy?"

"Applejack ain't mushy!"

Sweetie Belle giggled. "I dunno, she seems pretty mushy to me!"

"Lemme see!" Scootaloo snatched the binoculars from Sweetie Belle's hooves and looked through them before opening her mouth.

"Blech! They're as bad as my parents."

Apple Bloom pouted. "She is not!"

"Is too! They're just looking at each other with their noses pressed together." Scootaloo lowered the binoculars. "First Big Mac, then your sister... are you going to mush out on us too when you find a colt you like?"

"No!" Apple Bloom stomped her hoof for emphasis.

"I dunno, you seemed awfully interested in spying on our sisters," Sweetie Belle said, her voice rising.

"So were you!"

"Ugh, they're kissing!"

Both heads snapped back to Scootaloo. "I wanna see!"

"Me too!"

Scootaloo lifted the binoculars away from her friends' hooves. "Hey, it's my turn now!"

The three fillies tumbled out of the bush, rolling down the hillside as they wrestled for the binoculars. Grunting and shoving at each other, Apple Bloom finally managed to knock Scootaloo down, springing into the air to grab the binoculars only to lose her balance.

Her eyes widened, then clenched shut as she held her legs in close to her body in anticipation of the impact, only to fall into what felt like fabric, not thorns. Opening her eyes slowly, she yelped at the sight of the bush staring straight back at her, the much-fought for eyepieces tumbling from her nerveless hooves.

"Hey, you dropped them!" Sweetie Belle squeaked, diving down to catch the fumbled binoculars before they hit the ground before coming up short as the rose bush stood up.

"Hey girls!" the rose bush chirped loudly, the three fillies jerking upright at the high-pitched voice.

"Oh, uh, hey Pinkie Pie," Scootaloo said, rubbing a scrape on her leg as she lowered her gaze.

"What are you girls doing up here?"

"Uh, nothin'," Apple Bloom said lamely, the three fillies shifting uncomfortably under the disguised pony's blue gaze.

"What are the binoculars for, then?" Pinkie Pie leaned forward curiously, shedding several fake leaves.

"Uhmmmm... bird watching!"

"That's right! Fluttershy said this was a great place to watch birds."

"Fluttershy said she comes here to watch birds?" Pinkie Pie blinked. "Aw, poor Fluttershy! She's too shy to say anything to Rarity. And now she's with Applejack!"

The thee fillies stared dumbly at the pink pony.

Pinkie Pie gasped. "I know! We can go cheer her up!"

"What does Applejack and Rarity hugging do with watching birds?" Apple Bloom tilted her head.

Pinkie Pie giggled, patting the filly on top of her head patronizingly. "You'll understand when you're older."

Apple Bloom pouted, brushing Pinkie Pie's hoof off her head. "Why do ponies always say that, anyway?" She grumbled.

"I don't know," Pinkie Pie said, lowering her head and putting her hoof to her chin pensively. "But first I should really tell Rarity she needs to close her blinds if she's going to make out with Applejack in the dressing room. Who knows who might be watching!"

Next prompt: Brilliant.

33. Brilliant - by The Princess Rarity

33. Brilliant - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Brilliant.

"Darling, I would appreciate if you stood still," Rarity argued as she let out a frustrated sigh, continuing to fuss over her newest masterpiece.

And to be honest, she certainly would not be exaggerating if she said it was her finest...

However, it was noted that her model of the day could care less.

Applejack rolled her eyes, and fidgeted in her spot, despite her fiancee's words. "Well, Ah've been standin' here fer 'bout two hours," she defended. "How much longer is this gonna take?"

The fashionista huffed, levitating another set of sewing needles about to go back to fussing over the lace trim of the dress she was working on. "If we keep bickering like this, it could take the rest of the day," she explained. "But if you manage to cooperate, then only about a half hour or so."

"Ya said that when we started!" the farmer said.

"You can't rush perfection," Rarity declared. "And this is the last thing I want to ruin."

"Aw, c'mon!" Applejack sighed. "Rares, Ah'm only gonna wear this fer one day - an' then we're probably gonna stuff in it a box that'll stay in the attic fer who knows how long!"

Stiffening her lip, the dressmaker looked back and hesitated, pushing up her glasses and rubbing the space between her eyes thoughtfully. "It still doesn't mean I can't take pride in making my bride look perfect," she muttered.

With a smile, the earth pony leaned down to nuzzle her lover, placing a quick kiss on Rarity's lips. "Remember one thing Ah taught ya when we first started goin' out?" she murmured.

"There are a lot of things you've taught me," Rarity confessed, with a half smile.

"Well, ya should really remember this one right now," Applejack drawled. "Simplicity is sometimes th' prettiest. More than any priceless gem ya could find."

Sliding off her glasses, the unicorn let out a deep breath, looking over her work that her fiancee wore.

In only three months, they'd both be walking down the aisle that would be the beginning of the path of the life they'd share together - and nothing could prevent Rarity from making sure that every little detail was absolutely perfect.

Of course, she was going to make all of the dresses needed. It wouldn't make sense not to.

And the wedding dresses were going to be ...

... well, Rarity didn't know what to do now.

Her own dress had been long done - it was a pale orchid, in addition to some fine violet and lavender trim, sprinkled with white accents to keep things traditional, but not to clash. Now, AJ's color scheme was a bit more difficult, but sticking with blues, golds and greens was the best.

The dress was almost done-

-but it wasn't enough.

Or maybe it was too much.

"Hold on," Rarity murmured, levitating over the cowpony's hat and placing it on her head as she suddenly began removing several accents and strands from the dress, quickly fixing the mistakes and replacing the jeweled borders with more simpler stitches.

In fact, this was probably the fastest she had ever worked, but when a brainstorm struck, it couldn't stop.

Although, it seemed as soon as it had begun, it had ceased.

And the results were brilliant.

The formerly lavish dress was now something much more simple, but still beautiful. Somehow, it looked even more stunning than before, if that was possible, and it fit Applejack in all of the right ways.

"There," the dressmaker sighed, with a content smile as she stood next to her lover, ignoring her own disheveled work appearance and instead focusing on the beautiful mare in front of her. "It's magnifique, is it not?"

Applejack smiled, looking down to Rarity with a sparkle in her emerald eyes. "Ah'm still all fer the Las Pegasus drive-thru wedding," she teased.

Letting a chuckle slip past her lips, the fashionista shook her head playfully and leaned in, kissing her fiancee sweetly. "You're horrible," she laughed.

"Ya can still wear yer pretty dress," the cowpony offered. "So long as Ah can git to tear it off of you aft'rwards."

"That reminds me," Rarity trilled. "A wedding dress isn't the only thing I have to make for myself for you to tear off."

The adorable blush and mischevious smile on Applejack's expression was enough to allow Rarity to let out another chuckle and toss away all worries about her wedding. After all, it wasn't for another twelve weeks. She still had a while to make it all brilliant.

Next prompt: Birthday.

34. Birthday - by Twilight-The-Pony

34. Birthday - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Birthday.

“Thank ya very much again for the amazin’ party, Pinkie!” Applejack chirped towards the organizer. “But I have to go an’ get some sleep.”

“But it’s only one in the morning. The party just started! Your party just started.”

“Ah know, Pinkie, but, but chores wait for nopony. Last year Big Mac was mighty ticked ‘cause I slept in. He said nothing, but Ah just knew it.”

“Aw,” Pinkie responded with a disappointed voice. “Oh I know! I could organize post-birthday-party party and we’ll wrap this up!”

“That’s okay Sugarcube,” Applejack hugged Pinkie. “But Ah don’t think Ah can manage it. It’s the apple-bucking season after all, and we’re all very busy.”

Pinkie’s head approached even closer to Applejack, carefully eyeing her. “Are you planning something? Because last year you all did—”

“Ah’m just tired, Pinkie. And we really have tons of work to do.”

“Okie dokie lokie!” Pinkie bounced cheerfully. “See you tomorrow, Applejack!”

Applejack waved her hoof and bid her friends goodbye with a smile.

~*~*~

"Aw, ponyfeathers,” Rarity groaned when she saw her birthday present for the orange mare under the table. ‘It must have fallen down,’ she thought. ‘Does not matter... I’ll just take it to her personally.’

“Aw, not you too, Rarity!” Pinkie sounded disappointed when the galloping mare passed by her. “I’m starting to take this personally,” she said with a groan, lifting her front hoof to take a whiff of her armpit. “I should used better deodorant.”

“Applejack just forgot something. I’ll come back to the party. Pinkie promise!” Rarity half-shouted back.

“Okai!” PInkie bounced and raised her hoof again. “I really should do something about that deodorant.”

~*~*~

“A- Applejack?” Rarity asked the silent forest that now bathed in the faint glow or her horn, consisting of nothing but well-groomed apple trees. Not even a cricket dared to disturb the silence. And yet, her ears flicked to the sounds of soft sobs not far away from her. She took a deep breath, asking the same question again, but this time in almost a whisper. “A- Applejack? Is that you?”

But the sobs didn’t stop. Rarity gulped as she turned towards the origin of the sound in a slow and careful pace. It didn’t take long to see a golden mane connected to the orange body of her friend. “Applejack?”

Applejack jumped onto her hooves in one swift move, losing her beloved hat in the process. Her dirty mane was in mess and the fur under her eyes was wet, yielding the telltale signs of her sobbing. Her voice switched back to her casual speech, hiding any kind of distress. “Oh, howdy there, Rarity!” Subtly eyeing around for her hat, she continued. “What brings ya around?”

Rarity blinked. “What is going on?”

“What’d ya mean?” Applejack turned her eyes towards the tree branches just above Rarity. Maybe the hat managed to escape there.

“You are still a bad liar, Applejack.” Rarity lit her horn, lifting the hat behind the tree and putting it carefully onto the farmer’s head.

“Now, please tell me what’s going on.” A comb floated from Rarity’s saddlebags and starting to brush Applejack’s mane meticulously. “And I’m not leaving before that.”

Applejack glimpsed at Rarity briefly before looking at the ground with a sigh. “Ah hate birthdays.”

The brush stopped caressing the golden mane for a few seconds before continuing. “Is it because of Pinkie? Her parties had became a little... um...” she looked up, tapping her hoof onto her chin, searching for a fitting word “...odd. Up until today I didn’t even knew that ponies could eat fire...”

Applejack raised her brow. “What? Oh, no, no. It’s not because of Pinkie... it’s because of me.”

Rarity tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. Can I go now?”

“Applejack...”

Applejack sighed. “Fine then.” She looked around as searching for any other pony that may be lurking around the orchard in the dead of the night. “Ah hate birthdays, because they remind me that Ah’m still alone.” She closed her eyes as she continued, “Even with all the friends and family, Ah still feel like Ah’m the loneliest pony in Ponyville.”

The comb stopped again, a bitter smile crept on Rarity’s lips as she realized her friend’s problem. “I see.” The comb now moved to the dirty and messy golden tail. “You’ll find a wonderful stallion soon. Don’t worry about it too much. I just wanted to—”

“Yeah. Stallion,” Applejack muttered in a low voice, hoping that Rarity didn’t hear it. She was wrong.

The comb stopped its motioning again as Rarity’s heart skipped a beat and resumed shortly after. ‘Nah. I’m hearing things.’

“Rarity?”

“Sorry Applejack. I- I’ve got kind of lost in my thoughts. It’s already late and...”

“...you wanted to give me a goodnight kiss, right?”

“Yes. Wait, no. What?” Rarity shook her head in hopes to clear up the confusion in her mind, but without any luck. “Anyways; you forgot my present. Happy birthday again, Applejack. I hope you’ll like it.”

Applejack sighed as she opened the box which contained a necklace made out of baby blue sapphire and a golden string. “Thank ya kindly,” she said in a dull and uninterested voice.

“But... What’s the matter? Don’t you like it?”

“Ah do. But it’s... it’s just not what Ah was hoping for,” Applejack closed her eyes and hung her head. A warm hoof caressed her cheek as she unintentionally leaned onto it. Another warm, radiating body approached her snout, planting a soft kiss on her lips.

Applejack jumped back, her eyes now opened wide in a confusion, staring at the white mare in front of her. “What just—”

Rarity looked at Applejack for few seconds before hanging her head. “Ever since that storm, I wanted to do that. I just—” She sighed.

“But- but that was years ago... Why didn’t ya say something?”

“I didn’t want to lose your friendship. But when you’ve complained about stallions earlier, I thought I could...” Rarity sighed again. “I’m sorry, Applejack. I just hope we can still be friends.”

A smile crept on Applejack’s lips. “Rarity?”

“Hm?”

“Would you like to go out with me? On... you know... a date?”

“You’d still...” Rarity replied cautiously. “I would love to, Miss Applejack.”

Applejack nuzzled the white mare in front of her, causing her to blush. ”This is the best birthday I’ve had so far!”

“Let’s see if we can make it even better,” Rarity replied with a sly grin on her face.

~*~*~

“YOU BROKE A  PINKIE PROMISE!” Pinkie shouted to the pair of intertwined sleeping mares. “You! Broke! A! Pinkie! Promise!”

The knot of orange and white shot up to the fuming Pinkie Pie, their faces both flush red.

“Pinkie Pie?” Applejack was the first to ask, still confused.

“You PROMISED!” Pinkie yelled again.

“Pinkie, dear. No need to be upset,” Rarity replied calmly. “I did plan on coming back, but things got a little... complicated...”

Pinkie looked at Applejack quizzically, “Well, duh. I’ve been trying to get you two together for past few months.”

“You knew?” Rarity and Applejack both asked in a single voice.

“Of course I knew, silly. You two have been acting awkwardly around each other since that sleepover at Twilight’s.”

“Then why didn’t you mention anything to any of us?” Rarity replied.

“Planning, duh,” Pinkie bounced. “But now you two RUINED months of planning!”

“Er.... sorry?” Applejack replied lamely, lightly squeezing the mare in her hooves.

“It‘s okay,” Pinkie chirped. “I should leave you two alone now,” she added and disappeared behind one of the bigger trees.

“How about some breakfast, sugarcube?” Applejack murmured to the mare in her hooves.

“Just a few more minutes, Applejack. It’s warm in here.”

Next prompt: Fire.

35. Fire - by LittlePieGirl

35. Fire - LittlePieGirl

LittlePieGirl

Fire.

Fire.

The smouldering embers licked at my flanks, eager to devour my soft flesh. The searing pain that followed coaxed me to flee further into the room, narrowly escaping the flame’s appetite. Cinders swept into the doorway on a light breeze, latching onto unsuspecting nearby objects, the wave of destruction seeping slowly through to engulf me.

My world became illuminated in an explosion of orange and black, when the piles of fabric set alight, burning as if a wick to a match. Floorboards and cabinets groaned when their wood collapsed, overwhelmed by heat, and then shattering to oblivion.

It circled around each wall like I was its prey, creating an almighty, resounding roar which pounded in my eardrums. The fruits of my labour, my home, would soon meet its demise in a chorus of smoke, flame and ash.

The fibres of my heart ripped and split with every hollow, rib crushing beat.

I was going to die.

There was no way in my mind to deter me from the very true notion. All could do was accept my horrible fate. I tried to think of my family and friends, how my life was a good one. However, it didn’t matter. In a few moments I would be no more, and part of another tragic story in the history of time.

The smoke made my lungs burn excessively, as I hit the workroom floor with a meaty thump. Getting back up would be pointless, I could already feel the glow and fiery heat on my coat. This was it. My eyes clenched shut and my chest lurched, as I prepared myself for my slow, excruciating end.

A voice.

To whom it belonged, I knew almost instantly. It was so faint, as if an angel was speaking down to me. The breaking of glass was barely audible through the high whine now piercing through my ears. Fresh air oozed into the room, causing the flames to coil and dance unwillingly. Through the crack in my one open eye, I saw a dark, magnificent figure. Daylight poured in behind, revealing the silhouette of an all too familiar brown Stetson.

As she hauled my broken form onto her well-built back, my entire body enveloped with pure happiness. Wrapping my hooves around her neck, I nuzzled deeply into her coat. My feelings were uncontrollable.

I couldn’t believe it, she had saved my life. Her.

Applejack.

Next prompt: Poker.

36. Poker - by The Princess Rarity

36. Poker - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Poker.

It was just a harmless trip - really, it was. Six friends, on a wild trip to Los Pegasus, Equestria's most scandalous city. Known for wild rides, forgettable nights and most of all, gambling. After all, it didn't get the nickname of Sin City for no reason.

However, what started out as a bit of fun turned too wild.

Then again, what could one expect in one of the wildest cities known nationwide?

The six of them had split up into three groups of two, and had vowed to meet at the hotel room at midnight. Twilight had gone off with Rainbow Dash to the slots, Pinkie and Fluttershy decided to stop by the bar and originally, Applejack and Rarity had planned for a bit of gambling in roulette and card games.

...but now, it seemed that they had broken apart.

All Applejack had done was leave the betting table for two minutes to go grab a beer instead one of those frilly watered down cocktails all of the waitresses carried around, and when she came back, her companion and marefriend was nowhere in sight.

Originally, she didn't start to worry. Rarity was a mare of class, she wouldn't go running off and doing stupid things.

So Applejack had started to kill time - she played, and won, a few rounds of blackjack, but then ended up losing her winnings on one of the obviously rigged slot games, and lazed around the club for a bit.

But it wasn't until she happened to notice the clock, then she started to feel concerned.

It was a quarter to midnight, and she still hadn't run into Rarity.

She had already swung by the hotel room to see if anyone was there, and all she had found was Twilight and Pinkie in an awkward position that would be burned into her mind forever, so there was that. And aside from coming across a few waitresses that bared resemblance to Rarity, Applejack continued to have no luck in finding her marefriend.

Now, she was starting to worry. After all, Applejack had seen the effects of alcohol on many ponies, and when the two of them were playing roulette, Rarity was downing those cocktails one after the next.

It didn't help that she was an extreme lightweight (- this fact found out after the Canterlot Wedding and a simple glass of champagne got her tipsy), so all the farmpony could do was hope and pray that she wouldn't find Rarity slumped over outside the casino vomiting or something embarrassing of that sort...

"Excuse me, ma'am, can I help you?" an attendee asked.

Applejack hesitated, only before replying, "Have you seen a mare 'round here? White unicorn, violet mane, blue eyes, an' she sorta sounds classy when she's speakin'?"

The worker paused for a minute, and pursed his lips, taking a minute to think.

"Yes, I do believe I saw a mare like that pass by," he said simply.

"Thank Heav'ns," Applejack sighed. "Could ya point me t' where ya last saw her?"

"Over by the poker table," he responded.

That wasn't far - in fact, it was only a few steps away. Applejack was surprised she didn't run into Rarity sooner.

Releasing a deep breath of satisfaction, she headed towards the tables, and scanned her gaze across the room, looking for the poker area. However, she didn't need to bother looking, when she heard a very familiar loud laugh from nearby.

There, at the far end table, was none other than Rarity, surrounded by a group of ponies staring at her in awe, as she was raking in all of the money and chips, playing as if she was one of the professionals who knew the sport like the back of their own hoof, even if earlier that night she had stated that she despised the game for reasons she didn't want to mention.

And to make matters worse, she even looked a bit intoxicated, trying not to sway back and forth in her seat.

Applejack practically darted over, shoving her way through the slight crowd that had formed around the table, muttering quick apologies as she soon found herself by her marefriend's side.

"Rares," she muttered. "Mind explanin' what yer doin'?"

"Oh, nothing," Rarity drawled, with a bit of a slurring in her voice as she waved her hoof. "Just having a bit of fun, is all." She flipped through her cards, and brought a cigarette to her lips, taking a long drag of it as a waitress walked over with a martini.

With a raised eyebrow, Applejack looked to her marefriend in concern. "Ah thought ya quit smokin'," she hissed.

Rarity chuckled, letting the smoke fly around, and she accepted the drink. "It's only one," she said breezily.

"Uh-huh, sure it is," the farmer deadpanned, as she took the dressmaker's hoof. "C'mon, take yer winnings an' get up. We gotta get back to th' hotel room."

"For what exactly?" Rarity said, with an offbeat chuckle and an attempt at a seductive gaze.

Rolling her eyes at the comment, Applejack lifted her marefriend out of her seat, causing the fashionista to drop the magical aura around her cigarette and drink, causing them to fall onto the table as she stood up abruptly.

Letting out an childish whine, Rarity almost fell over due to her drunken stupor as she followed Applejack through the casino.

"You never let me have any fun," she accused.

Applejack shook her head, and slightly smirked, as she now hoisted her marefriend onto her back, trying not to drop her. "Trust me, yer gonna thank me later," she declared.

Next prompt: Parents.

37. Parents - by Twilight-The-Pony

37. Parents - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Parents.

Rarity was sitting away from other fillies, her fluffy scarf fluttering in the gentle breeze of fall wind. A new school year has began again and with that another opportunity to meet her friends she didn’t see for past two months.

Usually this was a happy time as she was able to see her schoolmates again. Especially a specific orange filly that she had grew fond of throughout the years. During the vacation, she was forced to tag along with her parents to explore the country, so she couldn’t see any of her friends.

But, instead of being happy to see her friends yet again, she was alone, away from other fillies, away from her schoolmates. She was looking at the ground, her hooves caressing a small, green patch of grass. A corner of her eye managed to catch a glimpse of the trotting orange filly.

“Howdy there, Rarity!” Applejack gasped, trying to catch her breath. “Ah have been lookin’ all over fer ya. Have ya seen mah new hat? Um... Rarity?”

But rather than a sweet and cheerful reply she usually got from Rarity, she only got a faint ‘Hello, Applejack.’

“Rarity? What’s wrong?”

Rarity sighed. “I’m grounded.”

“What did ya do?”

“My mom asked me to fix a button on her dress, and I—”

“Ya broke the button? Lost it? What happened?”

“Neither.” Rarity hung her head even lower, trying to find even more appeal in the now pretty flat and muddy patch of grass under her hoof. “I just wanted to make my mom really happy, so I—”

“Wanted to make it prettier?”

Rarity nodded with a moisture starting to condense underneath her eyes. “I had this golden fabric that I hoped to sew in,” she sniffled. “After I was done, I showed it to my mom, but she wasn’t too happy with it. Now I can’t even stay after school!” Rarity sniffled again.

“Ya should be happy, Rarity,” Applejack said in a low voice. “Ya still have parents.”

Rarity’s ears drooped and her eyes widened, completely forgetting about her own misery about being grounded. “Your parents...”

Applejack nodded subtly. “Three days after school ended the barn collapsed and—”

The rest of her answer was smothered with a tight hug from her classmate. “I’m so sorry, Applejack. I- I didn’t know,” Rarity sniffled.

“A- are you okay?”

“I miss my mom and dad.” The hug tightened.

“If there’s something I can help you with,” Rarity breathed, looking into moist green eyes.

“Ah don’t think that there’s anything ya can do, Rarity, but...”

“But?”

“Can ya stay here for few more minutes?”

Rarity subtly nodded, leaning her muzzle forward to dry her friend’s falling tear. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated herself.

~*~*~

“SILVER STREAAAAAAKKKK!” Rarity shrieked, her voice piercing the silence of the Carousel Boutique, startling two ponies in the process, Sweetie Belle and Applejack.

Applejack groaned. “What did she do this time?”

Rarity lit her horn, lifting the dress off the ponyquin. “See what your daughter did? She ruined the entire dress!”

Applejack smirked. “Last time Ah checked, she was yer daughter, too. Besides, Ah remember ya telling me a story like that when we were fillies.”

“But that was not the same. I—”

“Silver Streak isn’t interested in fashion, Rarity. And neither she’s interested in bucking apples.” Applejack hung her head a little. “She might be a part of both of us, but she’s nothing like us. What did Twilight called it? Generics or something?”

“Genetics,” Rarity replied with a sigh. “I know, but I just wanted—”

Orange hooves wrapped around Rarity. “Ya can’t have everything, Rarity.”

“I know. I’m just lucky enough to have y—”

A filly’s cough echoed behind the mares backs, making them both blush and turn their heads. “Hey, moms.”

“Howdy, Silver Streak.” Applejack turned towards Rarity and kissed her on forehead. “Ah have something Ah have to do. Ah’ll be back shortly.”

The door of Boutique closed with a soft click, leaving two ponies alone.

“Silver Streak?”

“Yeah, mom?”

“I saw your... dress.” The eyes of the filly started gazing into the ground. “I’m not being mad, Silver. I only want to know, why didn’t you tell me you were making it.”

“Because... I wanted it to make it special... As a gift. Mom knew.”

“Applejack knew?”

The filly nodded. “She promised she wouldn’t tell anypony.”

“Well, that explains many things,” Rarity muttered to herself. “Who was the gift for?”

Silver Streak looked at the floor, her face bathing in plethora of different shades of red. “Star Thunder. I- I—”

“Really like her?” Rarity added with a smile on her face. A sheepish nod and even deeper shades of red from the filly confirmed that.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. But you should still ask me for a helping hoof. Especially if you’re trying to make a dress.”

“But that wouldn’t make the dress special!”

“Of course it will, my little pony. Getting a little bit of help doesn’t make anypony worse or anything less special. It has taken your mom quite a long time to realize that.”

Silver Streak’s ears drooped and her head sank lower. “Oh.”

Rarity planted a gentle kiss on the filly’s muzzle with a smile. “Now homework. I’ll help you later with the dress.”

A quick nod from the filly was quickly accompanied by the ascending trot.

“Mom knew,” Rarity sighed. “Oh, Applejack. What am I going to do with you?”

“Well,” a familiar voice echoed from the kitchen, now slowly moving towards Rarity. “Ye could marry me.”

“I think once is more than enough, Applejack,” Rarity mused.

Next prompt: Hearts and Hooves.

38. Crayons - by The Princess Rarity

38. Crayons - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Crayons.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, he's only three months old!" Rarity argued. "He's not going to get in any trouble."

Applejack raised an eyebrow, and looked down to their infant son, who was sitting in his crib, rolling around, and babbling in the cute way all foals did. For the most part, the little colt seemed completely harmless, but both of his mothers were wary of the fact he had inherited the unicorn gene on Rarity's side of the family.

"Still, Ah don't trust that fancy unicorn magic," she drawled.

The fashionista huffed, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, Applejack, if anything happens, I can handle it," she assured. "After all, I did a fine job with Sonya when she was that age."

"Sonya is an earth pony," Applejack pointed out.

"I see no difference," Rarity said blantly. "You've no reason to worry, dear. Go into town to work, everything will be fine."

Glancing between her wife and son carefully, the farmpony gave in, letting out a sigh of defeat as she stole a kiss from her lover, and looked to the baby colt skeptically one last time only before bidding a quick goodbye as she left the household.

Shaking her head playfully, Rarity found it amusing for her wife to worry about something so silly. Their son had practically just been born, there was no way he was already capable of any sort of magical abilities. Granted, there was the occasional slip-up from young unicorns, but the fashionista was sure that it was nothing she couldn't handle. After all, if she had already endured three years of messes with her daughter, a few bursts of magic from her son was a walk in the park.

Just as she too was about to exit the nursery, Rarity heard a faint whining as she looked back and saw her son whimpering at the sight of both his mothers leaving. She released a light tsk, and retreated back to the crib, looking down at her young son.

"Alexandrite, sweetie, you're supposed to be napping," she muttered, attempting to get the colt back under the covers he had tossed away.

However, little Alexandrite refused to listen and he attempted to wriggle away from the blankets, laughing as his mother fussed over him. Of course, Rarity was never one to argue with children, so she simply let out a groan of frustration, looking at him.

"You're not going to sleep, are you?" she questioned.

The colt laughed once more, and waved his hooves, which Rarity decided to take as a teasing sass from her newborn son. She scoffed, and levitated him up out of the crib, noticing how active he really was.

"Fine," she said simply. “I suppose I can’t make you do anything or leave you alone.”

She kept Alexandrite in her magical grip as she left the room, carefully trailing him behind her and she paraded into the living room, where it was a mess that was most definitely organized chaos. Rarity let out an annoyed groan at how pillows from the couch were carelessly tossed onto the floor and the small radio was blasting nothing but static while papers and crayons littered the floor, and in the center of the wreck was none other than her first-born child, three-year-old Sonya, who was happily drawing various scribble masterpieces.

Placing her son down on the carpet to join his older sister, Rarity switched off the radio and began picking some things up from the floor, when all of a sudden, the phone in the kitchen rang.

Looking to her children thoughtfully, the unicorn mare considered what they could do if she left for just a moment, but seeing how she came up with nothing, she waltzed off, and picked up the phone from the receiver.

“Rarity speaking,” she chimed.

“I was hoping you’d answer,” a familiar sweet and soft voice on the other end remarked.

“Coco! Darling, how have you been?” Rarity practically gushed. “Why, I haven’t seen or heard from you in months!”

The other fashionista on the line lightly giggled in her bell-like way. “I know, I apologize,” she replied. “And I wish it was to reconnect with you, but I’ve been talking with some top-line designers, and I got us a job.”

“What - do you mean as a team?” the unicorn questioned.

However, she didn’t hear the answer to her question, as somepony interrupted her with a tug on the tail, and a loud ahem.

Rarity looked over her shoulder, and noticed her daughter standing before her, looking awfully sassy for a filly for her age. (Applejack always said Sonya got it from Rarity’s inner diva.)

“Sonya, dear, can it wait? Mommy’s a bit busy.”

“Uh-uh,” Sonya protested, grabbing her mother’s hoof and yanking on it. “It’s real important. The worst possible thing.”

Trying not to laugh at the saying her daughter had picked up, Rarity just brushed it off, and released a light sigh. “I’m sure it isn’t that bad,” she retorted. “Wait one moment, alright?” She levitated the phone back up to her ear, about to speak, when she felt Sonya grasping firmly on her tail and tugging it with all of her might.

Deciding to give in, Rarity rolled her eyes and excused herself from the call for one moment, allowing her daughter to lead her into the living room, where the sight took her by surprise.

In fact, a shriek even involuntarily slipped out as she noticed the scene before her.

If the living room was a mess before, it was an absolute disaster now - and it wasn’t so much the floor that was hit hard, but rather… the walls.

Alexandrite had somehow gotten his magic to work, and a variety of crayons, all sorts of colors were held tight in a green magical grip as he dragged them across the wall, scribbling and doodling all sorts of silly little designs, which were ruining the house.

Now with her shock wearing off, Rarity levitated the phone over, returning to her call.

“Coco? I hate to be rude, but I’m going to have to call you back.”

With that said, the dressmaker hung up the phone, and let out a loud wail of frustration, trekking back into the kitchen to find some sort of cleaning supplies and wondering if Applejack would laugh at her or yell at her (or possibly both) when she got home from work later that day and found out.

Next prompt: Pets.

39. Pets - by Twilight-The-Pony

39. Pets - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Pets.

Chaos. Mayhem. Ground Zero. Applejack couldn’t help herself but compare what she was seeing with the images from the history books. She never expected to see a live representation of what she saw in pictures of natural disasters.

Broken vases and mauled flowers now decorated once decently cleaned tapestry and wooden floor. The furniture was overturned and muddy, shards of a broken glass, originating from the broken window or the plentiful picture frames, was lying all around. The muddy pawprints covered almost every inch of the room.

And in the middle of this disaster zone, two precious animals, fully covered in mud, were looking innocently at the shocked Applejack.

Applejack groaned. This isn’t what she wanted. After a long and hard working day, this was the last thing she wanted to deal with. All she wanted wanted was to relax for the weekend and spend some quality time with her marefriend.

But now, it seemed like her well-deserved weekend of rest and relaxation has gone down the drain. She was devastated as she was looking forward for this weekend, since they both worked hard for the past few weeks. It was apple-bucking season for Applejack and Rarity managed to get herself in a little too tall order, even for a hard and fast worker like herself.

But now; everything was ruined. The animals totally demolished her room. There was no other options than her postponing their date for unknown period of time and clean up the mess.

She hung her head when the knocks echoed throughout the house, followed by a sound of squeaking door a moment later. Rarity.

“Hey Rares,” Applejack breathed sadly.

“Evening, Applejack. Are you ready? I managed to... What in pray tell happened in here?!?”

Applejack’s hoof pointed to two muddy creatures in the center of the room. “Ah’m sorry, Rares, but Ah can’t go. Cleanup and all.”

“Opal?” Her voice indicated shock. “How did you manage to sneak out?”

Opal groaned.

Applejack sighed. “Ah'm sorry Rarity, but Ah need to clean this up... Ah so wanted to go, but..."

"Nonsense, Applejack. We have planned this for a long time...”

"Ah know. And Ah’m sorry, Rares. But this needs to be cleaned up. So...”

Rarity took a step and nuzzled her marefriend. “Please, Applejack? I already waited for too long.” Nuzzle turned into a soft kiss. “I’ll help you with the cleanup tomorrow.”

Applejack chuckled. “I can’t win this time, can I?” Rarity shook her head in response.

~*~*~

“Well... That was certainly... different,” Rarity mused. “But so so good. I might ask the... um... chef for the recipe for the salad. It was simply divine.”

“And don’t forget cheap!”

Rarity nodded. “The entire dinner for two is a little bit more than a dessert in one of the restaurants that I dine in. We should do that more often.”

“Yeah.” Applejack sighed. “Do you want to come in for some cider? Ah really don’t want to think about cleaning just yet.”

Rarity nodded.

It has only taken a few steps into the house to see the disaster room. However, it seemed to be a lot cleaner now. Out of curiosity, Applejack took a few more steps towards it. She stopped with her mouth agape.

“What’s wrong, Applejack?”

“T... the room...”

“You don’t like it?”

“Wait. How...?”

“Pinkie Pie. She told me that something was going to happen, but she didn’t knew, what would be the cause. So I asked for a little bit of help.” Rarity paused for a moment. “Do you like it?”

“It’s... new...”

“Oh.” Rarity’s ears drooped, her head lowered. “I thought you’d be happier...”

“I like it... but...”

“But?”

“It is still missing something.”

“Missing something? Like what?”

“A white unicorn pony. About yee high,” Applejack raised her hoof to the height of Rarity’s head, “a lovely blue mane and a set of diamonds on her flank.”

“Wait. Do you mean—”

“Yep. This thing right here!” Applejack pulled out a cardboard cutout of Rarity and kissed it.

Rarity was shocked. “Wait, what?”

“Yep. And we’re going to get married tomorrow.”

With her shock escalating, Rarity screamed, waking herself up in the process. She was covered in sweat, breathing irregularly.

“None of that was real. None of that was real. None of that was real.” A quick skim of the room revealed that she’s in her own bed in Carousel Boutique. “Just a bad dream,” Rarity exhaled.

“Mmmm,” a pony murmured from the other side of the bed. “What’s wrong?”

“A- Applejack? H- How did you get in here?”

“You offered me a place to stay until my room is fixed, remember?” Applejack whispered. “Opal and Winona. Bedroom demolished.”

“I mean my bed.”

“Cider...”

Rarity. smiled. “Applejack?”

“Hm?”

“Would you like to stay longer?”

“Mmm... mhm.”

Rarity turned toward the half-asleep pony, wrapping hooves around her and kissing her on her forehead. “Applejack?”

“Applejack?”

“M?”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.”

Next prompt: Aftermath.

40. Aftermath - by The Princess Rarity (Foal Abuse)

40. Aftermath - The Princess Rarity (Foal Abuse)

The Princess Rarity

Aftermath.

A soft wail broke through the silence of the night, echoing through a small household and awaking those inside. Soon, after the cry was heard, a rapid knocking on a door followed.

"Mommy? Mama?"

The door to the room opened, and there stood Applejack, looking down to see her young daughter standing before her, with tears in her blue-green eyes and she literally shook with every breath.

"Aw, Sonya, again?" the earth pony mare muttered, her tiredness now slipping away as she grew concerned for her child.

"Uh-huh," the filly whined. "Can I sleep with you two tonight?"

Applejack didn't hesitate at all, wrapping a foreleg around her daughter and ushering her into the bedroom. "C'mon, yer mother and I are right here, ya see?" she whispered. "And do ya have yer stuffed animal?"

Sonya shook her head, lightly sniffling. "I don't like Mrs. Fluffs anymore," she whimpered.

"She's not helpin' ya fight the nightmares?"

"No, nothin' is," the little one said softly, her accent now starting to settle in now that she was tired and scared. "I don't wanna sleep anymore."

At a loss of words, Applejack looked up to her wife, who was silent as she looked to their daughter in shock and visible pain.

Rarity's expression was blank and emotionless, completely lost as she found something, anything, comforting to say to their child. This was the fourth time this week that young Sonya had reported nightmares, and it was only a Tuesday.

True, it was progress from last week's constant crying and night terrors, where Sonya couldn't be apart from one of her mothers, but still, this wasn't much better.

"Sonya, dear, what happened this time around?" Rarity said softly as her daughter bounded up onto the bed and snuggled close to her mother.

The little filly sniffled, and her crying began to heavy, as she wiped her tears onto the comforter. "It's the same as always," she wailed. "The dark closet behind the catwalk. The mean lady. I can't find either of you and-" She couldn't dare finish her sentence, because the horrific memory invaded her mind and she began wailing.

Her mothers simply stared at one another, holding back the urge to cry with their little one, but they stayed strong and tried to comfort her.

They whispered soothing words to their daughter, hugged her, gave her sweet little kisses and tried to tell her everything would be ok. Eventually, it wasn't the content feeling that lulled the filly to sleep, but exhaustion. Still, it assured her mothers that their little one could at least find somewhat peace from the harsh reality.

Now taking note that her child was finally asleep, Rarity let out her own soft cry, letting a few tears fall down.

"This is all my fault," she muttered.

"Now Rares-"

"-if I hadn't left her alone at that fashion show, this never would have happened," the dressmaker pressed. "Our daughter was practically kidnapped and raped, and all because I was stupid enough to turn my back on her for a minute. I trusted one of those skanky models to watch our child and she could have been gone if I hadn't found her." She hesitated, and shook her head in disbelief. "Our precious little gem was in the hooves of a monster because of my recklessness."

Applejack took her wife's hoof into her own, and kissed the back of it. "It's not your fault, Rarity," she declared. "Ya didn't know that was gon' happen."

"Still," Rarity rasped. "Court cases, being snatched from her family, haunted by all of this - it's too much for me to handle, I don't know how Sonya can stand it."

"She's gettin' the treatment she needs, and we're helpin' her as best as we can," the farmer whispered. "I'm here for ya, and our little girl. We're gonna be a happy family again, I promise ya."

The unicorn sniffled, and wiped away her tears as she looked down to their sleeping daughter, who was snuggling up to the both of them cutely, now trapped in sweet dreams instead of the horrors she was haunted by earlier.

"You mean it?" Rarity whispered.

Applejack leaned forward, gently kissing her wife on the lips. "Ah never lie, do I?" she replied.

The unicorn let out a shaky breath, with a bittersweet smile as she hugged her lover, still softly crying. While tragedy might have struck their lives, it didn't matter none. They would overcome it, because this aftermath was already slowly slipping away...

...now all it had to do was become nothing but a bad dream.

Next prompt: Hot Chocolate.

41. Hot Chocolate - by Twilight-The-Pony

41. Hot Chocolate - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Hot Chocolate.

Winter. Cold. Ponyville was covered with a thick cover of snow, so there was no real work for the orange filly. Morning chores have already been completed, the beds have been made and the animals cleaned and fed. You could barely see anything in the fields that wasn't white.

Applejack was bored. For a hard-working pony, that was ultimate bane. The only thing that she could do is study, and today was her least favorite subject: math.

She looked at the book in front of her for no more than a few seconds before deciding to change her priorities. Her thoughts were now lost in the white coat that engulfed the entire Ponyville, in the games of dozens of fillies and colts that were playing in snow and making snowponies.

She just looked away from the window for no more than a few seconds, but long enough that she missed a snow-white pony approaching the farmhouse. Ever since Applejack’s parents died, Rarity spent much more time with her schoolfriend, offering a helping hoof, even though Applejack consistently refused to accept, which sometimes ended up with Rarity’s frustration. But still; Rarity understood. Even with the occasional quarrel between her and her parents, she didn’t know what would she do without them.

The sound of the gong snapped Applejack from her reverie. She perked her ears and turn her head towards the door of her room, trying to catch the chatter below. Instead of chatter, Applejack heard a set of hooves approaching her room.

Soft knocks on the wooden door echoed around the small room, making Applejack turn back to the boring books.

“It’s really cold outside!” Rarity shuddered, sinking her head even lower into her now wet scarf.

Applejack didn't hesitate. She grabbed a warm and fuzzy blanket from her bed, and in swift motion wrapped it around shivering Rarity, quickly followed by a still-steaming mug of hot chocolate. “What in tarnation happened to ya?”

“One of the weather ponies accidentally dropped snow on me when I was coming here," Rarity said in a trembling voice.

Applejack snickered. “Ah think that they do that intentionally. Ah forgot how many times they did it to me.”

“So uncouth,” Rarity breathed and sipped the tasty beverage.

Applejack nodded. “Fortunately, this only happens in the winter. Ya feeling any better?”

“Thank you very much,” Rarity breathed and pecked Applejack on the cheek, making her blush wildly. “Now; have you studied?”

“M- maybe?” Applejack replied with a stutter.

“...”

“Ah was... really busy.”

“Applejack?” Rarity replied in a deadpan voice.

“Hm?”

“You really aren’t a good liar.”

“Sorry.”

An empty cup floated in the air, fueled by Rarity’s magic. “Do you have any more of this? Because this is going to be a long night.”

Applejack nodded wildly. “Best chocolate in Ponyville! Brought here by—”

Rarity groaned. “Very long night.”

~*~*~

“And that’s how ya came around,” Applejack said cheerfully.

Silver Streak looked at her still-full mug in disbelief, tilting her head towards her mother. “I came from chocolate?” she cringed.

“Well, yes. Ah mean no. Ah mean...” Now sweating and blushing Applejack looked around the kitchen for a better representation of what she wanted to convey. “Look. It’s like—”

Rarity cleared her throat, startling both ponies in the process. But that was her intent, anyway. “Silver Streak,” she spoke softly. “Hurry up or you’ll miss your school.”

“But mom...”

“We’ll talk after school, okay?” Rarity mused. “You don’t want to keep Star Thunder waiting, do you?”

“Oh, right.” Silver Streak’s saddlebags started to bask in the glow of her magic and lifting off the ground as she started her trot toward the door of the Boutique. “Bye, moms!”

Rarity couldn’t help but snicker at the confused filly. “She reminds me of her mom.”

Applejack looked to the ground. “She asked me where foals come from. So Ah just... um...”

“...told her that they come from hot chocolate...”

“Well... It’s true.”

“Partially. You stopped at what comes afterwards.”

Applejack nodded. “Ah still have some of it. Want it?”

Next prompt: Autumn.

42. Autumn - by TheRealRainbowDash

42. Autumn - TheRealRainbowDash

Autumn

Autumn.

Rarity loved autumn. It was always said that spring and Hearts and Hooves day with it was the time for lovers but Rarity disagreed. Autumn was the season of lovers. It was chilly enough for two people to cuddle close and hold hands more tightly, but not too cold to discourage outdoor activities. There were more holidays and good cheer and the sweltering heat of summer would melt away to the blissful colorful fall. There were sunsets, The Running of the Leaves, pumpkin pies, new fashion line ups and of course: leaf piles.

Rarity hated dirt. And any activity which involved getting dirt on her person. There was however one exception to that rule: leaf piles.

Of course her enjoyment of jumping into and playing in leaf piles was a closely guarded secret that only a few people knew about, lest all of Canterlot mock her.

Taking in a deep breath, she inhaled the fresh cool air and adjusted the collar of her coat to give a little more warmth as she walked through the apple orchards. Huge piles of gold, orange and red leaves covered the orchard, with only a thin man made path between the piles. Sweet Apple Acres had to have it's own fall clean-up of the leaves before winter came in all her bone shilling glory.

Applejack of course had the advantage of promising the Crusaders first jump in the leaf pile if they helped her clean the leaves off the trees. Rarity chuckled at the idea, reminding herself to use a similar strategy to convince Sweetie Belle to clean her room.

Of course the invitation for leaf pile jumping was open to all of Applejack's close friends and of course her girlfriend. Looking left and right to convince herself that there for sure was no one around to see her, Rarity began to decide which of the piles was most perfect for jumping in.

As she stood, a finger upon her chin in silent contemplation, she didn't notice the rustling behind her. With a roar Applejack exploded out of the leaf pile, causing Rarity to shriek. Fast as lighting Applejack had scooped Rarity into her arms, bridal style and rushed the still screaming seamstress towards the largest pile she could see.

Rarity felt a dulled impact and then suddenly there were leaves everywhere raining down on her and a cackling Applejack as they lay in a pile taller than the barn. Rarity was still in Applejack arms, tightly and safely pressed against her. The seamstress feigned anger, which only made Applejack laugh harder.

"I'm going to kill you if this dress is ruined." Rarity deadpanned, pulling leaves out of her hair.

"I don't think you will, sugarcube," Applejack laughed, standing slowly and carrying her out of the pile.

"I think you'll kiss me," Applejack suggested, a toothy grin upon her lips.

Rarity finally laughed and obliged Applejack, the two of them sharing a long breathless kiss. When they finally pulled away for air both their cheeks were red and warm.

"Hey, Rares,"

"Yes?" Rarity replied, stupified.

"Let's go again!" Applejack shouted.

"Don't you dare!" Rarity screeched futilely as Applejack took off like a shot.

Next prompt: Acrobatics.

43. Acrobatics - by The Princess Rarity (EqG)

43. Acrobatics - The Princess Rarity (EqG)

The Princess Rarity

Acrobatics.

Applejack wouldn’t consider herself a sporty sort of gal. Sure, she enjoyed a good competition every now and then, but that was it.

Also, beating Rainbow Dash in track and field was always really fun. Aside from that, though, she didn’t really do much. Just the usual gym required for students at Canterlot High, and nothing beyond that.

However, today was the school’s annual free-for-all softball game. The entire school, students and teachers, had teamed up and had been divided into teams. Not everyone enjoyed it, but it was sort of amusing to see some students wonder how to play.

Adjusting her blue baseball cap, Applejack leaned up against the fence, let out a sigh and slid a packet of gum out of her jeans pocket, popping a piece in her mouth as she watched the game. She wouldn’t be up to bat for a while, according to the line-up list everyone had received a copy of at the beginning of the event.

Vice Principal Luna’s team was failing miserably, while Principal Celestia’s side was on a winning streak, with the score at 5 - 0.

Sadly, though, Applejack felt as if she wouldn’t be any help to the side she had been assigned to.

“Keeping your distance, I see,” a voice mused.

The comment caused Applejack’s gaze to pop up, and she slightly smiled as she saw who it belonged to. “Hey there, Rares,” she replied, giving a slight wave.

Rarity stood next to her girlfriend, looking out to the field. And she couldn’t help but smirk as she felt Applejack’s gaze staring her down.

“I, uh, guess you’re not playin’ the game,” Applejack observed.

“Well, I’m already on a team of sorts, and the principals were more than happy to have the cheer squad attend this little event,”

Rarity said breezily, as she adjusted her blue and yellow Canterlot Wondercolts cheerleading uniform. “It was more or less Pinkie’s idea, but I found it a better idea than running the bases, so I supported it.”

As she had said, across the field, over by the game - Pinkie Pie was waving her pom poms around like crazy, bouncing up and down, cheering on both teams seemingly at the same time. Meanwhile, Lyra was in the school mascot uniform - which was a blue goofy cartoon horse - dancing around like an idiot. The other cheerleaders, who were more or less a bunch of freshman or other girls who had nothing better to do with their time, just stood around, gossiping.

“Uh-huh,” Applejack muttered, as her gaze reluctantly fell down.

The small dress seemed to accent Rarity’s curves in all of the right ways. Not that Applejack expected anything less, though - her girlfriend made everyone of them by hand to fit every member. And apparently, she did more than a fine job creating her own.

“Something wrong, dear?” Rarity crooned. “You seem a bit distracted.”

...did she just bat her eyes?

Releasing a nervous cough, Applejack shook her head. “Nah, I’m fine,” she muttered. “I was just-”

“Yo! AJ! You’re up for bat!” Rainbow Dash yelled from across the field. “Quit sitting around and get over here!”

Clearing her throat, Applejack gave a small awkward smile to Rarity, and darted across the way to the diamond, fetching a bat from one of the other players. Ok. This should be easy enough. She just wouldn’t swing and go for a walk instead, that would be simple. Let the next guy try to hit a homerun. After all, being in the spotlight wasn’t her thing. She’d be fine with walking the bases and waiting for someone else to get the glory.

Pounding the bat against the home base and breathing deep, Applejack looked up to the pitcher, Spitfire, who was staring her down with an almost wicked grin. Everyone knew about the famous Fireball that Spitfire threw at the games - she even put someone in the hospital by accidentally hitting someone on the opposing team in the arm.

“Gimme yer worst!” Applejack called.

Anything to keep the crowd interested, right?

Releasing a deep breath, she kept her eyes focused on only the pitcher, awaiting the ball to fly by at an insane speed…

...but it never did. Or at least, Applejack didn’t notice it.

The sound of rustling and squeals distracted her, and she tore her gaze away from the game for only a minute. And what a sight she saw. Her jaw would’ve dropped if she didn’t have more composure, but the loud groaning of the crowd snapped her out of it.

Oh, so now the cheer squad was in full force. This whole time, they had done nothing, but now they had decided to start going wild?

Applejack had to keep her head in the game, just for one more minute.

However, what with her girlfriend at the front of the squad, doing elegant twirls and flips in that tight dress of hers…

“Strike one!”

Did Applejack swing? She didn’t even realize it.

Releasing a deep breath, she adjusted her stance and squinted. There was no way she was going to mess this up. She was a team player.

However, something in her mind itched at her - and she found herself staring again.

Did Rarity just wink at her?!

“Strike two!”

Applejack realized she must have been swinging out of frustration.

Oh, this wasn’t fair…

The crowd was on the edge of their seats, her teammates were nervous and the opposing team were all smirking, like they knew that they had it in the bag.

And something itched at Applejack’s mind - some stupid sense said she could hit it - but…

“Strike three! You’re out!”

The small crowd all groaned, and the other team smirked as they dashed over, desperate to blow the other side of the school out of the water.

With a frustrated scowl, Applejack crossed her arms as she noticed that the cheer squad had just coincidentally stopped their silly little routine. Now this was stupid. And she was so going to get Rarity now.

As the two teams took a quick break, Applejack shuffled over to the group of the girls, and raised an eyebrow.

“Nice show y’all put on,” she muttered.

Rarity smiled and stood up on her tiptoes to place a quick kiss on her girlfriend’s cheek. “I assume you know it was for you,” she whispered.

Applejack wanted to frown - really, she did…

...but all she could do was smile stupidly.

Next prompt: Singing.

44. Singing - by Twilight-The-Pony

44. Singing - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Singing.

Stage. Rarity wasn’t prepared for something like this. It was one of her worst nightmares. Making dresses for wide variety of ponies was not a problem, since she was usually in the background, but to pull out something like this? Why did she agreed to all of this in the first place?

~*~*~

“Rarity?”

“Absolutely not, Applejack.”

“Aw, come on, Rares. It can’t be that bad. Ah heard ya singing to the ponyquins and with us on our way to the galla, and ya were magnificent. Sides, you adore being in the spotlight...”

Rarity noded. “But not for this. Sweetie Belle is the singer of the family, even if she might not know it...”

“Rarity, please... This is a charity event and we all volunteered. Rainbow Dash will show a sonic rainboom and her and Twi are going to show some air tricks. Me and Pinkie are going to show few tricks as well. Even Fluttershy’s animals agreed to help out...”

“But I can make dresses for everypony! I’ll—”

Applejack cleared her throat. “Ya know that won’t cut it. Please, Rarity.”

Rarity sighed. “Very well, then.”

Applejack smiled gleefully and gave Rarity a tight hug. “Ya’ll be amazing, Rares. Don’t ya worry none about that!”

Rarity whimpered as Applejack left Carousel Boutique. What have I gotten myself into?

~*~*~

Take a deep breath, Rarity. Everything will be fine. With a spotlight on her and her beautiful pink dress, she tried to step forward.

No luck.

She tried again, but again her hooves didn’t obey. Her mind was in overdrive; her audience waited for some sort of action, but there was none.

Rarity could feel the heat in her head rise up and moment after her vision became dark. She tried to make a sound one last time, but it was too late. She could only feel herself fall to the ground, hearing nothing more than whispers from the staring crowd. Then nothing.

~*~*~

“Rarity? Are ya okay?” Applejack’s voice was low and soft.

“Mmm?” Rarity murmured. “W- what happened?”

“Ya passed out. Yer behind the stage now. Others are still entertaining ponies. It’s just ya and me.”

“C-can I get some water, please?” Rarity muttered. “And how long was I... You know...”

“Ten minutes. Ya gave as quite a scare there.”

Rarity hung her head. “I’m sorry. I should have told you... It happened once in school, and I wanted to keep this a secret.”

“Ahm, sorry, Rares. Ah should’ve—”

“It’s not your fault, Applejack. But I cannot sing just for the audience. I can only sing for me,but sometimes I can sing for a pony.”

“Can you sing for me?”

Rarity shook her head. “W- what? I wish it would that simple, Applejack. It’s—”

Her response was silenced by a kiss from the orange lips. “Please, Rares?”

Rarity looked at the mare in front of her. “H- how did you know?”

“I didn’t. But at least half of the Ponyville told me that ya thought that Ah’m cute. So...”

Rarity’s face reddened. “I never knew how to get you out on a date, so I...”

“Ya think ya’ll be able to sing? We want to raise as much as much money as possible.”

“I will, Applejack. But I don’t want to sing for you.”

“Huh?”

“I want to sing with you.” Rarity leant forward and returned the kiss.

~*~*~

Spotlight again. But this time on two mares instead of one as they began to sing.

Next prompt: Broken.

45. Broken - by Bahatumay

45. Broken - Bahatumay

bahatumay

Broken.

“It's broken beyond repair, Rarity! Absolutely fubared and such!”

“Eeyup,” Mac agreed.

Rarity shuffled her hooves slightly. “I don't think that's a word.”

“Nope,” Mac said agreed with Rarity this time.

Applejack glared at her brother. “Don't you have someplace else to be?”

“No-” He froze at his sister's expression and quickly changed his tune. “Eeyup!” And with that, he quickly made himself scarce.

Rarity put a comforting, albeit hesitant, foreleg over Applejack's shoulders. “I don't suppose you'd take it lightly if I told you you might be overreacting just the teensiest bit?” she said.

“Overreacting?” Applejack spat, throwing off her foreleg. “Rarity, this is the apple corer that founded Ponyville! Granny Smith's granny used this very corer to peel the first apple grown here, and then the first zap Apple grown here, and then the first…”

“And a fine job she did,” Rarity broke in. “Truly. But perhaps it's time to move on…”

“Move on?! This is a piece of Ponyville history! How do you suppose we're just gonna move on? What if your sewing machine, the one you used for Celestia's dress, broke down? What then?”

Rarity answered truthfully. “I'd get a new one, as I'd probably still have orders that needed to be filled.”

“You just don't get it!” Applejack grumbled. “We earth ponies don't have fancy magic to fix things, so we make 'em good so we don't have to. Adds sentimental value and such. Not like you'd know about th-”

She was suddenly cut off when Rarity abruptly stopped her motion short with her forehead, filling her vision with a very annoyed unicorn. “That's not what you said at our anniversary dinner last week,” she growled.

Applejack had the distinct feeling she'd crossed a line, a feeling that only got stronger when Rarity began pushing her backwards towards the wall.

“I get that you are upset. I understand that this was a big deal to you. I know you are feeling frustrated and defeated. But there is no call for you to take that out on me.”

Applejack bumped into the wall. The two mares held their positions for a while longer.

And then Applejack broke their standoff. “I just… it was my fault it broke, see? And I just… ruined everything… and… my fault and…”

Rarity pulled her into a hug. “These things happen,” she said, leaning down to kiss Applejack's cheek and tasting the slight saltiness she would later deny. “Maybe the real tradition is doing things as a family, the Apple way,” she said. “You really didn't end anything at all.”

“Guess you're right.”

“I know I'm right, darling. And I'm sure it'll end well. You of all ponies know you can't keep an earth pony down.”

Next prompt: Paper.

47. Stupidity - by The Princess Rarity

47. Stupidity - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Stupidity.

A soft gasp broke the silence in the bedroom, and the lamp flickered on. "Applejack! Did you hear that?" Rarity said suddenly.

Applejack rolled over on her side, and blocked out the light with her side of the blanket. "Land sakes, Rares, it was jus' Winona.

Relax, will ya?" she muttered.

The unicorn stammered, and looked away, with her nose in the air. "I am relaxed," she lied.

"Then why aren't ya sleepin'?" Applejack retorted.

"I'm not tired," Rarity said.

However, Applejack could notice the weary expression on her marefriend's face and she just shook her head. "Uh-huh. Ok, sure, we'll go with that," she mused. "Now turn the darn light off, I wanna go back to bed."

Letting out a sigh, Rarity reluctantly shut the light off and laid back down, staring up at the ceiling in the dark.

It was too dark.

And what was that shadow outside anyway?!

She used her magic and pulled down the curtains to block out any possible strange activity outside.

But a light thud from the hallway caused her to speak up once more.

"...where exactly do you keep the shotgun?"

"Rarity!" Applejack exclaimed in shock, as she looked to her marefriend.

"What?" the unicorn said, holding her hooves up in defense. "It was just a question!"

"Ah ain't letting you shoot anypony, now go to sleep!" Applejack demanded. "There's nothin' out there!"

Rarity frowned. "But what if-"

Applejack let out a groan. "We shoulda have nev'r watched that stupid horror movie," she declared.

Next prompt: Book.

48. Book - by TheRealRainbowDash

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

49. Player - by Twilight-The-Pony

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50. Sugar - by Thak

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51. Promise - by Twilight-The-Pony

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52. Wet - by Titanium Dragon

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53. Effervescent - by Thak

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54. Heavy - by The 8-Bit Flame Princess

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55. Dispiritment - by AmblingAnarchy

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56. Run - by Thak

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57. Simple - by The Princess Rarity

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58. Puppies - by Thak

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59. Collaboration - by Titanium Dragon

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60. Caught - by Titanium Dragon

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61. Rile - by The 8-Bit Flame Princess

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62. Wooer - by Twilight-the-pony

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63. Memories - by Thak

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64. Example - by Frostfur

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65. Silver - by Thak

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66. Learning - by Twilight-the-pony

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67. Diamond - by Palaikai

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68. Endearing - by Magicman7997

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69. Cold - by Twilight-the-pony

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70. Triumph - by Thak

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71. Silly - by Twilight-the-pony

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72. Foals - by The Princess Rarity

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73. Cadillac - by Thak

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74. Expectations - by Ambling Anarchy

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75: Son - by Dyslexic Foal

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76. Field Work - by Lone Beast

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77. Preference - by Magatsu Orpheus

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78. Beautiful - by Astrarian

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79. Painting - by Bahatumay

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80. Gaffe - by Novelette Glory

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81. Snow - by Astrarian

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82. Flowers - by Novelette Glory

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1. Rodeo - by Jondor.

1. Rodeo - Jondor.

Jondor.

Rodeo

As the hot sun beat down on the rodeo arena just south of the town of Appleloosa, ponies throughout the crowd kept sneaking glances at a particular unicorn, making his way through the stands.  Hundreds of earth ponies, dozens of pegasi and a smattering of unicorns all gawked at the tall stallion dressed in a frock coat, bowtie and monocle and clearly from Manehattan or even Canterlot.  Finally catching sight of a particular unicorn, who seemed just as flabbergasted as the rest of the crowd, he made his way over to the empty bench by her side.

“Good afternoon, Miss Rarity.  I’d heard a rumor that I might find you here.”  The stallion smiled as he took his seat.

“Fancy Pants!  This is quite a surprise.”  Rarity’s look of shock turned to wonder.  “I didn’t expect to see you all the way out here.  What brings you to Appleloosa?”

“The rodeo, among other things.  I confess, I usually take in the shows in Canterlot, but some rumors are worth looking into.”

Fancy Pants bought two large mugs of fresh, iced apple juice from a passing vendor while he allowed his comments to sink in.

“I had no idea you followed rodeo.”  Rarity knew what the rumor was, but a game of cat and mouse with Fancy Pants was too good to pass up.

“For the same reason I follow the Wonderbolts, my dear.  Just as they are the showcase of pegasus talents, the rodeo is the showcase of earth pony talents.”

“Mmm, yes.  I never truly appreciated that until recently, though all the dirt and hard wear of the rodeo does make a fashion designer’s job more of a challenge.”  Rarity allowed herself a smirk.

“Yes, I imagine so.  Though I also wonder about the marketing angle.  It can’t be easy to sell the idea of fashion to utilitarians.”  Fancy Pants responded with a raised eyebrow.

Rarity simply pointed a hoof toward the center of the area where Applejack trotted out in an outfit skirting the line between the high fashion of Canterlot and the rustic utilitarianism of Appleloosa.  Red and green gems glistened around the brim of her hat and on the cuff of each boot.  Crisp geometric patterns were woven down the length of her chaps.  Tucked just behind her ear, she wore a white and violet lily.  The whole outfit served to amplify Applejack’s inherent charm.

“My wife is a great help in that department.”  Rarity stated simply.

Judging by the cheers of the crowd, Fancy Pants had to agree.

Next Prompt: Horn

5. Bust-It - by BronyLance57

5. Bust-It - BronyLance57

BronyLance57

Bust-It

“Oh bust it!” A voice shouted. Upon hearing a pony in distress, Rarity galloped over to see if she could help. The sound came from Sweet Apple Acres if her ears served her properly.

“What’s wrong darli-Applejack?” Rarity said. Looking back it did make sense, seeing as the sound came from Sweet Apple Acres.

“Hey Rarity. I can’t seem to fix this busted water shute. Ah was just about to give up, but seeing as you’re here could you give me a hand?” Applejack asked.

“Well of course darling, just one question.” Rarity replied.

“Shoot.” Applejack said.

“What does the term Bust-It mean?” Rarity asked.

“What do you mean?” Applejack asked.

“I’ve never heard it before, and was simply wondering what it meant.” Rarity replied.

“Well the way I use it it basically means screw it, I’m done with this bullshit.” Applejack said. “I just don’t wanna be swearing now that Applebloom’s old enough to understand it.”

“I see.” Rarity said, snickering.

“What’s with the snickering Rarity?” Applejack asked.

“I just find bust-it to be a humorous choice of words.” Rarity said.

“Well what’s wrong with it?!” Applejack asked.

“Why nothing darling, I just think that there are other ways to avoid swearing than to come up with rather humorous expressions.” Rarity replied.

“Ah think there’s something else goin’ on! Maybe you just don’t like the way I talk cause it’s not all fancy and proper!” Applejack shouted.

“Well if you’re going to shout there’s no need for false accusations!” Rarity shouted.

Applebloom was walking peacefully through the west orchard when all of a sudden, she heard shouting.

“What in tarnation is going on” She asked herself. She walked over to where she heard the shouting. The barn? She thought. She hid in the bushes to get a better view. It seemed that Applejack was arguing with Rarity. Again. Applebloom thought. She was too far away to hear most of it, but she could tell it was another heated argument. As the shouting got louder, Applebloom could see a hint of discomfort in her sister’s face. She tried to get closer to hear what they were saying, but the shouting stopped. Applebloom moved even closer, and was finally able to hear what they were saying.

“What’s wrong darling, you look uncomfortable.” Rarity said.

“It’s nothin, don’t worry about it.” Applejack replied, blushing.

“No it’s clearly something Applejack, you’re a terrible liar.” Rarity said.

“It’s just I... I mean it’s... Ah bust it.” Applejack said.

“Bust wha-” Rarity’s sentence got cut off when Applejack pulled her in for a kiss.

Oh mah gosh. Applebloom thought. “Ah gotta tell the crusaders!” She shouted, running off to ponyville, leaving two very stunned ponies staring shocked in Applebloom’s direction.

“What just happened? Rarity said.

“Heck if I know” Applejack replied.

“Do you think she’s really going to tell the crusaders?” Rarity asked.

“Bust it.” Applejack replied, pulling Rarity in for another kiss.

Next Prompt: Sugarcube

13. Crying - by grimmred

13. Crying - grimmred

Grimmred

Crying.

Applejack was a pony of unwavering morality. "Son, you be hard working stallion" his poppa always told him. Momma said to "find a good mare and always make her happy". He hadn't really been able to do the second part but he was true to his word and always said that one day he would... just not today, or the next day. It seemed there was always something that needed to be done besides courting. Even when invited to the Grand Galloping Gala, surrounded with beautiful mares, he was still trying to work.

Work he snorted to himself. Never in his life had anything gone so horribly wrong as the Grand Galloping Gala! A small noise broke Applejack out of his storming. He realized he had somehow wondered into the garden while thinking, looking around himself for the noise. He couldn't tell what it was a familiar sound, so soft it was barely audible and it brought a tightness to his chest. After a moment of searching he found where it was coming from and, like a knife through his heart, he realized what it was.

Many nights he had heard that sound after his parents died. The family was strong and kept going day in and day out, but in the dark everything came pouring out. The soft sounds of sobs from Red Gala's room could be heard from Applejack's room next door. It broke his heart to think of his big sister, the glue that kept them all together, crying herself to sleep. There sitting right before Applejack Elusive was sobbing uncontrollably and almost inaudibly.

Applejack stood for a moment unsure of what to do. He knew that while the White Unicorn may have been more in touch with his feminine side that didn't mean he wanted to be caught crying. Elusive was very socially aware and while nopony actually knew it Applejack was too. For a stallion to cry in public would be humiliating and shameful to say the least.

So Applejack just sat there. He waited until the sobs had subsided, each one another buck in the chest. Finally, when he was sure Elusive was ready, he backtracked from his hiding spot and loudly reentered. "Why, Howdy Elusive! I tell ya' these ponies have no sense of taste! Only one pony bought my pie's and, between you and me, she seemed funnier than a carrot on an apple tree"

"Why Ap-Applejack," Elusive said trying to regain his composure "I would love to buy one of your pies! And maybe some ice cream?"

"Momma, he aint no mare but i promise: I'm always gonna make Elusive happy" Applejack said silently to the night sky.

Next prompt: Sister.

17. Miracle - by Titanium Dragon

17. Miracle - Titanium Dragon

Titanium Dragon

Miracle.

"Mom?"

"Yes darling?"

"Do I have a dad?"

Rarity sputtered, her eyes widening as she turned back to her daughter.

"Why do you ask dear?"

"Well, when I was at school today, the other fillies told me everypony has a dad. They said nopony has two moms."

"Did they?" the unicorn asked, her voice thick with sugar-sweet malice.

"I asked the teacher too. She said so. When I told her I had two moms, she told me I should ask you about my dad after school."

"Oh darling," Rarity said, leaning down to nuzzle at her foal's orange mane, speaking in a sickly sweet tone of voice.

"Everypony has a father except you. You're our little miracle. That's why we named you Fortune."

Fortune looked up at her mother skeptically. "Momma said that I was named after the apple."

Rarity giggled musically. "That too, dear." She bent down to give her daughter a hug. "Maybe tomorrow, your momma and I can go to school with you together and explain things to your class."

"Alright," the filly said, before turning and walking out of the kitchen, Rarity quietly grinding her teeth together before another pony joined her.

"So did she ask you too?"

Rarity looked over at her wife archly. "I take it I was not the first to field the question."

"Hay no. She asked me right when she came home from school."

"Applejack, language!"

The earth pony grinned. "I told her to talk to y'all about it."

Rarity rolled her eyes. "Whatever would I do without you?"

"Get real cold at night, I reckon." That dry remark earned the earth pony a shove in the shoulder from the unicorn.

"Applejack, you're incorrigible."

"I might be," the earth pony said, flicking her tail. "Still, it don't sit right with me. I always knew where I came from."

"And she does. She is your daughter as much as she is mine."

"I know that. I'm just worried she'll think we lied to her, like we're ashamed or somethin'."

"But darling, it's the truth. She is my daughter, and she is most certainly an Apple."

"Still, it ain't right. 'Sides, my brother ain't a very good liar."

Next prompt: Nothing.

20. Golden - by Twilight-The-Pony

20. Golden - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Golden.

“There!” Rarity cheered as she finished braiding Applejack’s mane, wrapping the endings with a golden thread. “Finally done!”

“And now Ah look silly...” Applejack deadpanned, looking at her reflection in the mirror. “Why can’t we go like we are?”

“Don’t be silly Applejack,” Rarity sighed. “It’s the Grand Galloping Gala. We have to look our best for it...”

“But why?” Applejack tilted her head quizzically. “Remember what happened last time? We went through all that fancy-schmancy shenanigans just to get to the worst party of our lives... Hay; we could just  invite the Princesses  to one of Pinkie’s parties and have a blast!”

“Princess Celestia asked us specifically,” Rarity replied with a faint smile. “But she also asked if there is a chance not to destroy half of the castle this time around...”

“Well,” Applejack paused as she tapped her chin with the hoof. “Ah think, that she should talk directly to Fluttershy about that.”

The remark forced a giggle out of Rarity.

“And ya’ll be trying to find yerself a prince again, Twilight will probably just hang around with Princess Celestia again...” Applejack replied with a sigh. “Two more reasons for not going...”

“Hrmph,” Rarity snorted. “No more looking for a pony like Prince Blueblood for me... Besides; I wanted to ask a special pony that I hold deep respect for to accompany me as my date to Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Like Ah said; Not much for me to do in the Gala, anyways,” Applejack grumbled. “Ah would just get bored watching ya’ll having fun... But Ah think, that Ah’ll just skip it this year, so Ah'll just wish you best of luck with your date...”

“But that’s just it,” Rarity spoke shily.

“What is?”

“I don’t know how to ask that pony out...”

“That’s really simple Rarity,” Applejack answered with a smirk. “Just be direct.”

“Very well then,” Rarity replied nervously. “Applejack, would you like to accompany me to the Grand Galloping Gala as my date?”

Applejack froze in shock with her face now flush red, eyes widening, and her mouth flying ajar. “D-did you just...? On a date?” she struggled to form a coherent sentence.

Rarity nodded. “I’ve been trying to ask you out for a while now, but didn’t know how... It-It’s okay, if you decline,” she sighed.

Applejack smiled and nodded faintly towards the unicorn. “I would love to.”

Next prompt: Sunset.

26. Snow - by Bahatumay

26. Snow - Bahatumay

bahatumay

Snow

Outside Carousel Boutique, snow was falling gently, blanketing Ponyville with a soft, delicate coating of white. Inside Carousel Boutique, there was a white-coated pony, delicately adding a few gentle, finishing touches to one of the many outfits scattered around her room.

"Hmm," she murmured, setting down the red sash. "It's missing something still..."

Her train of thought was derailed as there came a knock on the door. Frowning, Rarity walked over to the doorway, quickly adjusted her mane, and opened it.

The pony on the other side was easily recognizable. "Hey, Rares," Applejack said, bringing a hoof to her hat in greeting.

"Applejack! What a pleasant surprise. Do come in?"

Applejack nodded. "Don't mind if Ah do." She stepped inside, and Rarity could quickly tell that she had something else on her mind.

"Yes, darling?"

"Ah was wonderin'..." She brought a hoof up and scratched nervously. "Seein' as how it's kinda cold outside... Are you cold?"

Rarity raised an eyebrow. Surely, Applejack hadn't come all the way out here in the middle of a snowfall just to inquire about her comfort. "Why, no, Applejack, I'm perfectly fine," she answered truthfully."

"A- are ya sure?"

"Reasonably," Rarity answered.

"'Cause, Ah was thinkin'... Ah think you're kindof chilly."

Rarity cocked her head. "Is that so?" she finally said.

"Yeah. And Ah was thinkin'... You were cold, because it's snowing and such, so you might need me to... you know... help you warm up."

Rarity blinked.

"At Sweet Apple Acres."

Rarity blinked.

"Cause it's warm there," Applejack finished lamely. "With a fire and stuff."

Suddenly, Rarity's eyes grew wide with understanding. "Applejack, darling... Are you attempting to entice me back to your house, where you'll set me down in front of your fireplace and proceed to attempt to seduce me, whereupon I shall immediately accept your propositions and we two shall do unspeakable things long into the night?"

Applejack blushed the color of her cutie mark and her ears flew back. "Ah was just hopin' to cuddle in front'a the fireplace, but the, er, unmentionables part thingie doesn't sound half bad."

Rarity grinned deviously. Speaking of 'unmentionables'... "I'd love to accompany you. Just let me go get my coat."

Next prompt: Bagel

28. Breakfast - by Bahatumay

28. Breakfast - Bahatumay

bahatumay

Breakfast.

If there's one thing that Rarity absolutely cannot do without, it's her beauty rest. But a close second is a good breakfast.

Of course, when your sister is Sweetie Belle, that's not always possible. In fact, Rarity was more than used to waking up to the smell of smoke. No matter how much she tried to tactfully inform Sweetie Belle that she had less chance of earning a cooking cutie mark than walking on the moon, but still Sweetie tried. It was adorable... in a rather acrid sort of way.

So when Rarity awoke to the smells of fresh hay, fried eggs, and warm buttered toast, she snuggled deeper into the covers, sure that it was still just a dream.

At least, until she heard the unmistakable squeaky tones of her sister's voice. It was too muffled to pick out any words, but it was unmistakably her.

And that meant that there was only one possible explanation.

Rarity tore her sleeping mask off. "My kitchen is on fire!" she shrieked.

Still in her nightgown and curlers, she sprinted down the stairs, crashing into the wall in her great hurry to save her kitchen.

She skidded to a stop, knocking over a chair, arriving in a distinctly not-burned kitchen. Sweetie Belle stood ready as Applejac-

"Applejack?!" she squealed, suddenly painfully aware of just how disheveled her mane and tail and all-around general appearance must have looked.

"Well, hey there, sugarcube," Applejack said around the pan in her mouth. "Sweetie Belle said you'd been looking a bit stressed, so I figured I'd pop by and do somethin' to help you out."

"And I helped, too!" Sweetie said brightly.

Applejack took a slight step to one side, and Rarity could see a scorch mark on the floor that she was trying to hide. "Yeah. She did." She grinned widely. "So how about you get dressed and we can all have breakfast together?"

Rarity blushed. "I- I'd like that."

Next prompt: Class.

30. Class - by The Princess Rarity

30. Class - The Princess Rarity

The Princess Rarity

Class.

"So... since yer new, where are ya from?" Applejack asked, as she looked next to the new filly sitting beside her on the swings.

What was her name again? Charity?

And as she noticed the little unicorn smile wide in her perfect sort of way, the farm filly couldn't help but feel a bit too low-class as she ran her tongue over the awkward space in her teeth.

In fact, compared to this new pony, she was everything Applejack wasn't.

She spoke with a refined accent, while AJ was getting a little too laidback with her slang.

The new filly wore a classy uniform that looked expensive, even if it wasn't required by the school's rules, and Applejack just had her good 'ole dust-covered Stetson that was a little too big for her.

Every pretty purple strand of the new filly's mane was combed back and carefully tied in a elegant braid, but AJ just liked her simple ponytail that refused to look professional.

"I'm from Canterlot," the new filly spoke up, with a bit of a flourish in her tone of her voice. "But I was born here in Ponyville - we just moved back here, because my mother and father don't like the city life."

Canterlot - so that would explain the fancy accent.

"Well, what 'bout you?" Applejack inquired. "Did you like it?"

With a nod, the unicorn smiled again, and flipped her mane fabulously. "Yes, I very much did, but my parents said to me, 'Rarity, the city is no place for a filly like you!' so here I am," she sighed. "But one day, I hope to go back."

Rarity - that was her name.

Well, Applejack didn't know a single thing about Canterlot, but she had heard it was full of snooty ponies.

This new filly didn't seem all that snooty, though. She almost seemed sorta nice.

"Well, d'ya like Ponyville so far?"

"It's all right, I suppose," Rarity replied. "It's a quaint little town, something I could get accustomed to."

See, that was the problem with city ponies. They said a bunch of fancy words nopony in Ponyville ever normally said.

"That's nice... I guess," Applejack said, as she titled back her hat. "What else do ya like?"

She was sort of determined to get to know this new filly better, and she just didn't know why. Rarity was almost like a puzzle, or a foreign language, and AJ wanted to know how to put it all together. She might have been different, but she was a good sort of different (if such a thing existed).

"I like fashion," Rarity piped up. "It's the center of Equestria, you know. Appearance is everything."

That statement caused Applejack to fiddle with her messy ponytail, and shut her mouth to hide the gap where her two front teeth should've been. She did like the way she looked, but with a filly so classy sitting beside her, she kinda felt weird.

Rarity noticed Applejack's slight fussing, and smiled wide as she began gently rocking back and forth on the swing. "But I like your appearance," she added. "Are you a cowgirl? You look like one."

The compliment caused AJ to return the grin, with a confident nod.

"You betcha I'm a cowgirl!" she replied. "I live on a farm and everythang! I even work sometimes."

"I don't like farms," Rarity said, as she wrinkled her nose cutely. "They're too messy."

"Ev'rypony says that," Applejack argued. "But when ya play in the hayloft, it's real fun, y'know."

Suddenly, the bell rang, and the two fillies looked to each other, ceasing in their swinging and conversation, slightly bummed out that their time together was already cut short.

"Well, I suppose we better get back to class," Rarity pouted, only before looking to Applejack. "Could we be friends?"

With a chuckle, AJ nodded. "Course we can," she responded. "Mah name's Applejack."

"It's nice to meet you, Applejack," the unicorn smiled. "My name's Rarity."

~ x o x o ~

A little colt was the last to bound out of the Ponyville schoolhouse, as usual, but today was the day he was a little bit later than usual. He balanced his saddlebags and pushed his wire-frame glasses further up his muzzle as he happily ran towards his family, who was waiting for him on the other side of the schoolyard.

His older sister let out a huff, and rolled her eyes. "Well, it's 'bout darn time ya showed up, Alexandrite," she scoffed, in her Southern Belle accent. "We were waitin' ages fer ya."

"Sorry," the little colt quickly replied. "I was sort of occupied." He looked up to his two parents, and smiled wide. "Guess what, moms? I made a new friend today!"

His mothers shared a grin as they glanced down to their son, who was now looking back to wave at a little shy looking earth pony filly standing in the doorway of the school.

"Bye, Harmonia!" he called. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"I'll bet you he's going to marry her someday," one of his mothers softly murmured.

"Now, Rares-"

"Applejack, don't get me started. You know that anything's possible!"

"...Of course it is."

Next prompt: Sour.

31. Sour - by Twilight-The-Pony

31. Sour - Twilight-The-Pony

Twilight-The-Pony

Sour

“So; this is it, isn’t it, Applejack?” Rarity spoke with a weaver in her voice, turning her head away from the orange pony. “Just like that.”

“Oh, c’mon, Rares. Don’t be like this.”

Rarity snorted, turning her head back to Applejack. “You took everything I had, Applejack. All my money. Everything. I even had to sell Carousel Boutique just to pay off my debt. How do you think I should feel? Happy?”

“But I had no choice, Rarity. I—”

“You had no choice? You had no choice. None. You could look away here and there, you know.”

“But I—”

“I thought you loved me, Applejack,” Rarity pouted. “I thought we were friends. Don’t you care about me?”

Applejack blinked. “Rarity...”

“And now you’re just taking away everything I ever had. How can you be so cruel? Of all the ponies... If I knew that you’re so cruel, I’d never, ever marry you. What did I do to deserve this?”

“Rarity...”

“It’s like I don’t even know who you are anymore... Where is the adorable, loving mare I’ve—”

“Rarity!”

“W-what?” startled Rarity looked at Applejack in confusion.

“Are you done yet?” Applejack asked in a deadpanned voice.

“Hrmph,” Rarity snorted as she crossed her hooves and looked away from Applejack yet again. “I can’t believe that you’re even considering asking me something like that after everything you’ve done to me.”

“Rarity...”

“And furthermore, I refuse to stoop so low for the ponies that are so—”

“Ahem. I don’t know how to tell you this, Rares,” Applejack said with a faint smile on her lips. “But you’re really bad at this...”

Rarity turned her head back to Applejack, her facial expressions indicating shock. “I beg your pardon?”

“Well,” Applejack tapped her hoof onto her snout, pausing for a moment to think about what she’ll say. “Everytime we play Monopoly and you’re losing, you say the same thing... It gets a little... um...”

“Repetitive?”

“Just a little.”

With a sigh, Rarity looked to the ground, deflating a little, her ears drooped.

“Ain’t gonna work, Rares.”

“Aw, ponyfeathers,” Rarity pouted. “Not even a little?”

Applejack shook her head determinately.

“Well, fine then.” Rarity lit her horn, carefully removing her wife’s hat. “You took away everything I had, and for that,” she added with a playful smile “I’m going to take your hat!”

“Hey! Give that back!”

Rarity nudged Applejack’s muzzle a little, jumping away playfully a moment later. “You’ll have to catch me first!”

Next prompt: Hug.

46. Paper - by Craine

46. Paper - Craine

Craine

Paper.

Rarity had always respected Applejack. But, of course, that was very much a given; everypony respected Applejack.

Many ponies respected the farm mare for her boundless strength, which was coiled and bunched in her sheening muscles, ready to burst out when needed. Most ponies admired her persistent dedication, which ensured the crops that fed their children were healthy and strong. Others respected her honesty. While, not always called for, or even appreciated, it was always respected.

But Rarity?

Rarity respected everything under that rugged coat and unrefined drawl, underneath the toughness that struck the fear of Faust into liars big and small. One of which had stricken her like a hurricane strikes the palm trees in the far-east: her intelligence.

It was a shame how well Applejack hid it, really. The deep shimmering eyes that narrowed and focused on math problems, blazing through the budgets that kept Sweet Apple Acres afloat. The honed and sharpened ability to know just what to say, be it harsh, sweet, or fair. The third eye--which HAD to be beneath her hat--that peered through walls of deceit like magnified sunlight.

That third one always made Rarity smile. It was, after all, the same third eye that saw right through her thickly veiled flirting. Sure, Rarity could've called Applejack rude for grinning in her face, or tactless for swatting Rarity's every attempt to deny it, or chauvinistic to slap the unicorn's flank when she said 'Ya want me, don't ya'.

But who was she kidding, anyway. Those were things Rarity wanted in a pony, what she needed in a pony.

Applejack was smart... So one could possibly imagine the earthquakes in Rarity's head when the farm mare asked where paper comes from. Rarity, being the observant young lady she was, laughed as though it were a joke at first. But a narrowed glare and a swift hoof on her carpet ended that.

Answering the question was, of course, the reasonable and respectable thing to do. Rarity wouldn't chastise the poor thing. No. But seeing those green eyes bold in color and sheen with a spark that could dwarf the sun, seeing those golden eyebrows sink down with a force that could bring the very sky down with them, seeing the tight, lop-sided purse of those soft lips that could subsequently obliterate the western half of Equestria...

Rarity realized that answering that question wasn't very intelligent on her own part.

"Paper comes from what now?"

Next prompt: Stupidity.